Structure and Conductivity Studies of Scandia and Alumina Doped Zirconia Thin Films

Abstract

In this work, scandia-doped zirconia (ScSZ) and scandia–alumina co-doped zirconia (ScSZAl) thin films were prepared by electron beam vapor deposition. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated a presence of ZrO2 cubic phase structure, yet Raman analysis revealed the existence of secondary tetragonal and rhombohedral phases. Thus, XRD measurements were supported by Raman spectroscopy in order to comprehensively analyze the structure of formed ScSZ and ScSZAl thin films. It was also found that Al dopant slows down the formation of the cubic phase. The impedance measurements affirmed the correlation of the amount of secondary phases with the conductivity results and nonlinear crystallite size dependence.