An EXAFS study of the local structure around Zr atoms in Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 by the sol-gel method

Abstract The sol-gel synthesis of ZrO 2 · Y 2 O 3 (3%) and ZrO 2 · Y 2 O 3 (30%),using tetramethoxyzirconium and trimethoxyyttrium as suitable precursors, is reported. The transformation of the ZrO 2 · Y 2 O 3 (3%) gel by heat treatments has been studied by X-ray diffraction and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. The structure around Zr atoms indicates that the transition from the gel to a tetragonal stabilized phase at 1000°C is continuous at a local level without the occurrence of monoclinic or cubic phases.