BONDING AND ELECTRONIC-STRUCTURE IN ZIRCONIA PSEUDOPOLYMORPHS INVESTIGATED BY ELECTRON-ENERGY-LOSS SPECTROSCOPY

The use of electron energy-loss spectroscopy for characterization of z irconium oxide pseudopolymorphs is investigated. The results demonstra te that spectroscopic ''fingerprints'' for each phase can be identifie d and the technique can be utilized for phase identification. The oxyg en K-edge spectra are analyzed in detail and the spectral features are interpreted within the context of the electronic structure of zirconi a. Comparisons between theory and experiment reveal coincidences which can result in misleading interpretations of the energy-loss and x-ray absorption spectra. It is shown that the effect of dopant atoms and o xygen vacancies in stabilized zirconias must be considered in order to derive the correct interpretation of the spectra.