Spectroscopic studies of dynamically compacted monoclinic ZrO2

The properties of dynamically compacted monoclinic zirconia have been studi ed by X-ray powder diffraction, IR, Raman, EPR and luminescence spectroscop y. Compaction introduces a large number of defects into the sample, which l eads to a broadening of the X-ray lines, and IR and Raman bands. Besides, R aman spectra of compacted samples recorded with both 1064 and 488 nm excita tion show additional bands in comparison with original monoclinic zirconia. The bands in the region 540-730 nm with 488 nm excitation are ascribed to electronic transitions of Sm3+ ions. The nature of the extra bands in the 3 000-1830 cm(-1) region observed with 1064 nm excitation is unknown. Their i ntensity depends on the concentration of defects, but these bands are still observed for a sample containing no paramagnetic defects. In contrast to u ncompacted zirconia, the EPR spectrum of the dynamically compacted material shows defects, most likely related to V-O(') (oxygen vacancies), which mig ht be an indication for ionic conduction. As monoclinic zirconia is not an ionic conductor, it could be that shock-compaction introduces sample conduc tivity, e.g. ionic conduction, which can be important for the development o f new applications such as batteries. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Scienc e Ltd. All rights reserved.