Investigations on the sintering and electrical conductivity of yttrium zirconate and partially cobalt doped yttrium zirconate pyrochlore type oxides

Yttrium zirconate (YZ) and cobalt doped yttrium zirconate (YZC) pyrochlore type oxides were prepared by glycine-nitrate combustion method and characterized. Particle size measurement, X-ray powder diffraction, TGA and DTA were carried out. The sintering properties were evaluated for circular pellets fabricated from the oxide powder. AC impedance spectroscopy was used to measure the electrical conductivity of the sintered pellets. The particulate properties, sintering behavior and electrical conductivity of YZ and YZC were measured and reported. Cobalt doping improved the sintering characteristics and the electrical conductivity of YZ. (author)