Influence of gadolinium content on the tetragonal to cubic phase transition in zirconia-silica binary oxides

The present study reports the effect of gadolinium (Gd³⁺) in zirconia-silica (ZrO₂-SiO₂) binary oxides. The pure ZrO₂-SiO₂ synthesized at 1100 °C was tetragonal. The addition of Gd³⁺ in the concentration range of 5%–10% resulted in the formation of t-ZrO₂, whereas higher contents of Gd³⁺ led to the formation of cubic ZrO₂ (c-ZrO₂). The presence of Gd³⁺ also affected the lattice parameters of both t-ZrO₂ and c-ZrO₂. Magnetic studies confirmed a steady increase in the paramagnetic behaviour with increasing content of Gd³⁺. - Graphical abstract: t-ZrO₂ to c-ZrO₂ phase transition influenced by Gd³⁺ content. - Highlights: • Sol-gel synthesis of Gd³⁺ added SiO₂-ZrO₂ binary oxides. • Significant role of Gd³⁺ content in the tetragonal and cubic stabilization of ZrO₂. • Phase stability of either tetragonal or cubic stabilization till 1100 °C. • Gd³⁺ additions ensured additional paramagnetic behaviour in SiO₂-ZrO₂ binary oxide