XAFS study of the local structure of (Yb0.03Sc0.97−xYx)2O3 transparent ceramics

Abstract

Abstract (Yb 0.03 Sc 0.97− x Y x ) 2 O 3 ( x = 0.10, 0.39, and 0.485) transparent ceramics were prepared by solid-state reaction and sintered in H 2 atmosphere. The X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy was used to probe the local structure around Yb. The results show that the trivalent Yb ions are positioned at sites in cubic lattice with octahedral coordination. The local structure around Yb in our samples is quite different from that in the pure Yb 2 O 3 , and also different when Y 2 O 3 content increases. The incorporation of Y 2 O 3 leaded to more drastic distortion in Yb-cation network than that in the first shell Yb–O. The fitting parameters show that the coordination number, bond length and degree of structural disorder in the first shell Yb–O increase with the growing Y 2 O 3 content.