Gd-2(Ti2-xZrx)O-7 samples with 0 less than or equal to x less than or equal
to 1.5 were single-phase and pyrochlore structured after sintering at 1600
degreesC in air. The Gd2Zr2O7 (x = 2) end member predominantly displayed a
n anion deficient-fluorite structure. Raman spectroscopy indicated that the
level of short-range fluorite-like disorder in the unirradiated Gd-2(Ti2-x
Zrx)O-7 samples increased significantly as Zr was substituted for Ti, despi
te the retention of a long-range pyrochlore structure for samples with 0 le
ss than or equal to x less than or equal to 1.5. Glancing-incidence X-ray d
iffraction indicated that pyrochlores with an ionic radii ratio r(A)/r(B) l
ess than or equal to 1.52(x greater than or equal to 1.5) were transformed
into a radiation resistant defect-fluorite structure after irradiation at r
oom temperature with 2 MeV AU(2+) to fluence of 5 ions/nm(2). As the ionic
radii ratio of the pyrochlore increased beyond r(A)/r(B) > 1.52, the defect
-fluorite structure became increasingly unstable with respect to the amorph
ous state under identical irradiation conditions. Crown Copyright (C) 2001
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