Colour centre production in yttria-stabilized zirconia by X-ray and electron irradiations: effect of yttria content

• Published in: Philosophical magazine (Abingdon, England) Vol. 94; no. 35; pp. 4053 - 4065
• Main Authors: Costantini, Jean-Marc, Fasoli, Mauro, Beuneu, François, Boizot, Bruno
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 12.12.2014; Taylor & Francis: STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles
• Subjects: 61.72.Cc; 61.80.-x; 76.30.Mi; 78.40.-q; Chemical Sciences; colour centres; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Crystal defects; Crystalline state (including molecular motions in solids); Decay rate; electron irradiation; electron paramagnetic spectroscopy; Electrons and positron radiation effects; Exact sciences and technology; Irradiation; Material chemistry; Materials science; Mathematical models; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; optical absorption spectroscopy; Physical radiation effects, radiation damage; Physics; Solid solution, precipitation, and dispersion hardening; aging; Spectroscopy; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Theory and models of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation; Theory of crystal structure, crystal symmetry; calculations and modeling; Treatment of materials and its effects on microstructure and properties; X-ray irradiation; X-rays; Yttria stabilized zirconia; Yttrium oxide; Defect density; Radiation effects; Charge exchange; Symmetry property; Doses; Ultraviolet spectra; Theoretical study; Stabilized zirconia; Color centers; White radiation; Defects; Time dependence; Charge carrier trapping; Monocrystals; Electron irradiation; Rate equation; Growth mechanism; Aging; Electron paramagnetic resonance; Absorption spectra; Charge transfer; Optical absorption; Optical spectrum; electron paramagnetic spectroscopy; colour centres; electron irradiation; yttria-stabilized zirconia; X-ray irradiation; optical absorption spectroscopy
• DOI: 10.1080/14786435.2014.977369
• ISSN: 1478-6435; 1478-6443

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) single crystals (for 9.5 and 18 mol% yttria) were irradiated at room temperature (RT) by X-rays (W white spectrum) and 2.5-MeV electrons. The growth curves of the so-called T-centre (for trigonal centre, i.e. Zr 3+ sitting in a trigonal symmetry site) were studied as a function of absorbed dose, or irradiation time, by UV-visible optical absorption (OA) spectroscopy and X-band electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The defect concentration at saturation and the production rate are increased by a factor around two for 18 mol% yttria with respect to 9.5 mol%. Defect decay was then followed after irradiation by OA spectroscopy as a function of ageing time at RT. Growth and decay curves of the T-centre are modelled on the basis of rate equations of charge-exchange reactions with the zirconium lattice ions. Increase in yttrium content is thought to decrease hole trapping on Zr 3+ ions, thereby enhancing T-centre formation.