Cubic stabilized zirconium oxide anodic films prepared at room temperature

A new methodology was developed to obtain cubic, stabilized zirconium oxide films prepared at room temperature. The zirconium oxide films were prepare d electrochemically by anodic oxidation of metallic zirconium at constant c urrent density. The oxide films were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scannin g electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The oxide film s grown in H3PO4 solutions are monoclinic, and the ones prepared in phospho ric acid solution containing Na-2[Ca(EDTA)] complex are cubic. An explanati on for the zirconium oxide stabilization obtained by the electrochemical me thod is proposed that assumes a destruction and rebuilding of the oxide fil m during the dielectric breakdown.