Positron annihilation study of yttria-stabilized zirconia nanopowders containing Cr2O3 additive

Abstract

Yttria-stabilized zirconia compacted nanopowders, doped with trivalent chromium oxide, were studied by means of high-resolution positron lifetime and coincidence Doppler broadening techniques. The observed data suggest that positrons annihilate mainly in vacancy-like defects at grain boundaries or in larger open volumes most likely located at triple points.

The results also show that an addition of Cr2O3 leads to a decrease in grain size.

Keywords

• Yttria-stabilized zirconia
• Cr2O3 additive
• nanopowders
• positron annihilation