EFFECT OF MICROSTRUCTURES AND NANOSTRUCTURES ON THE PROPERTIES OF IONIC CONDUCTORS

Many ceramics are commonly used in solid electrolyte devices. Micro- a nd nano-structural features, apart from intrinsic behaviour, play a cr itical role in defining their electrical and mechanical properties. An overview of the effect of powder and ceramic processing techniques on the micro- or nano-structures and phase assemblage has been given for different types of ceramics with main emphasis on zirconia-based mate rials. The effect of micro- and nano-structural features both within t he grains and across grain boundaries on both the electrical and mecha nical properties has been discussed along with nano-phase processing o f ceramics and the actual micro- or nano-structural features in the si ntered ceramics. The effect of grain size and grain boundary phases on superplastic deformation and degradation of tetragonal zirconia in mo ist environments has been considered.