Sintering and ionic conductivity of CuO-doped tetragonal ZrO2 prepared by novel colloidal processing

Abstract

Suspensions of Cu2+ adsorbed tetragonal ZrO2 (3Y-TZ: 3 mol%Y2O3-doped tetragonal zirconia) powder were prepared and their green bodies consolidated without powdering process by a pressure filtration method. Green bodies with a narrow pore size distribution were obtained after cold isostatic pressing of the pressure filtrated bodies. Small amounts of CuO addition resulted in lower densification temperature by the aid of a liquid phase. Bulk and grain-boundary conductivities were measured by a complex impedance method. Bulk conductivity was nearly independent of CuO addition but grain-boundary conductivity decreased with CuO addition.