β-cubic phase transition of scandia-doped zirconia solid solution: Calorimetry, x-ray diffraction, and Raman scattering

Abstract

Differential scanning calorimetry and Raman spectroscopy measurements have been performed to investigate the β-cubic (c) phase transition of the compositionally homogeneous ZrO2-22 mol % ScO1.5 solid solution. The enthalpy of transition (1.11 kJ/mol of cation) and thermal hysteresis between β- and c-phases were smaller than those between monoclinic (m) and tetragonal (t) phases of ZrO2, reflecting the structural information that the cell volume ratio of β- to c-phases is smaller than that of m- to t-phases. Raman spectroscopy allowed us to observe the β-c phase transition, and we could obtain Raman spectra of the c-phase in the ZrO2–ScO1.5 system. This result was strongly supported by the observation of x-ray diffraction patterns at high temperatures.