Consolidation of Partially Stabilized ZrO2 in the Presence of a Noncontacting Electric Field

Hasti Majidi and Klaus van Benthem
Phys. Rev. Lett. 114, 195503 – Published 15 May 2015
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Abstract

Electric field–assisted sintering techniques demonstrate accelerated densification at lower temperatures than the conventional sintering methods. However, it is still debated whether the applied field and/or resulting currents are responsible for the densification enhancement. To distinguish the effects of an applied field from current flow, in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy experiments with soft agglomerates of partially stabilized yttria-doped zirconia particles are carried out. A new microelectromechanical system–based sample support is used to heat particle agglomerates while simultaneously exposing them to an externally applied noncontacting electric field. Under isothermal condition at 900°C, an electric field strength of 500V/cm shows a sudden threefold enhancement in the shrinkage of the agglomerates. The applied electrostatic potential lowers the activation energy for point defect formation within the space charge zone and therefore promotes consolidation. Obtaining similar magnitudes of shrinkage in the absence of any electric field requires a higher temperature and longer time.

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  • Received 5 March 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.114.195503

© 2015 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Hasti Majidi and Klaus van Benthem*

  • Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA

  • *Corresponding author. benthem@ucdavis.edu

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Issue

Vol. 114, Iss. 19 — 15 May 2015

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