Iron doped-ZrSiO4: Structural, microstructural and vibrational characterization

Abstract

Fex-ZrSiO4 is known for the applications in the ceramic industry such as ceramic pigment. In this article, we focus our attention to the structural, microstructural and vibrational changes of Fex-ZrSiO4 from free-mineralizer precursors, treated at different temperatures in the range of 1100-1600 C. The refinements of X-ray diffraction patterns show that Fe3+ cations were distributed into tetrahedral sites replacing Si4+. The evolution of the shape distribution analyzed by transmission electron microscopy, reveal a polyhedral morphology at 1100 C during 3h. In comparison, well-rounded and homogeneous particle size was determined in the sample heated at 1600 C during 24 h. On the other hand, it was observed that increase the content of iron and the increased heat treatment (temperature and time) both plays an important effect on the observed Raman results. The profile line deconvolution applied through the ?3 vibration of the SiO4 group shows a spectral change similar to that seen in radiation?damaged zircon: a decrease in frequency and increase in bandwidth.