High angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy studies in the Er 2O 3–ZrO 2 system

Abstract

ZrO 2:Er 3+ nanocrystals synthesized by the sol-gel method using a non-ionic (PLURONIC P-127) surfactant in order to produce single nanocrystals were characterized. High angle annular dark field-scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the ZrO 2:Er 3+ nanoparticles annealed at 1000 °C for 5 h. Single nanocrystals of monoclinic zirconia phase well-dispersed with a faceted morphology were obtained after the calcination. Er atoms were randomly integrated in the zirconia lattice as a subtitutional solid solution. Segregation of Er 2O 3 phase at the annealing temperature was not observed. Substitution of some Zr by Er atoms in the monoclinic zirconia lattice was directly observed by HAADF-STEM analysis.