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Ternary ZrO2-CeO2-Y2O3ceramics were prepared by the mechanical mixing of commercial ZrO2-CeO2and ZrO2-Y2O3powders. The microstructure and phase ratios of the compositions sintered within the two-phase tetragonal plus cubic region were determined. The ionic conductivities of the samples were determined and the influence of microstructure on the bulk conductivity was studied. The effect of ceria and yttria additions on ionic conductivity was investigated, along with crystal structure and the microstructure for series where the concentration of each of the dopants was kept unchanged.

The decomposition of metallo-organic compound films to yield ceramic oxides with a composition in the lead lanthanum zirconium titanate (PLZT) phase field has been observed using an environmental cell in the transition electron microscope. Diffraction pattern analysis indicates that the first formed phase is lead oxide but that this is rapidly followed by the formation of an homogeneous PLZT composition. The results are supported by differential thermal analysis (DTA)/thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the precursor solutions. These observations indicate that it may be practical to prepare thin films of this important electrooptic material by this route.