Liquid phase sintering of alumina-silica co-doped cerium dioxide CeO ceramics

Vauchy, R.  ; Hirooka, Shun ; Watanabe, Masashi  ; Yokoyama, Keisuke ; Sunaoshi, Takeo*; Yamada, Tadahisa*; Nakamichi, Shinya  ; Murakami, Tatsutoshi 

Pure and low -AlO-SiO co-doped ceria specimens were prepared by conventional ceramic processing using powder metallurgy. The effect of co-doping on the microstructural and structural properties of cerium dioxide was investigated by means of optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The co-addition of alumina and silica promoted liquid phase sintering (LPS) and significantly contributed to grain growth, even in the small concentrations of the present study (1 wt% and 2 wt%). A glassy-look phase precipitated at the grain boundaries, characteristic of liquid phase sintering. The addition of dopants to the formulation greatly enhanced the grain growth process without disturbing the CeO structure.