This review summarizes the high-technology applications of yttria-partially-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) across multiple advanced engineering fields. Particular attention is given to its use in supercapacitors, where YSZ significantly improves device stability under prolonged cyclic operation, which is an essential requirement for practical deployment. In solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), YSZ exhibits exceptional performance as an electrolyte, anode component, and membrane material. It provides high oxygen-ion conductivity when operating in the 800 – 1000°C range, thereby directly influencing overall cell efficiency. In microelectronics, YSZ is utilized in thin-film transistors, where its exceptional dielectric properties and thermal stability facilitate the fabrication of reliable, high-performance electronic components. In aerospace and gas-turbine engineering, YSZ serves as a thermal barrier coating (TBC) for hot-section components, offering excellent resistance to extreme thermal loads. Various deposition techniques, including plasma spraying and chemical vapor deposition, are discussed, along with a detailed analysis of coating characteristics such as lamellar structure, porosity, crystallinity, and thermal stability.
The influence of combinations of water-soluble magnesium and aluminum salts on the physicochemical properties of alumina–magnesia spinel was investigated. It was shown that spinel formation occurs in the temperature range of 800 – 1050°C from xerogels prepared from aluminum and magnesium chlorides and nitrates. Complete crystallization of the spinel structure was achieved by thermal treatment of xerogels synthesized from AlCl3+ MgCl2 salts at 900°C with a holding time of 60 min, yielding smaller crystallite sizes compared to other xerogels. In contrast, xerogels synthesized from Al(NO3)3+ MgCl2 and Al(NO3)3 + Mg(NO3)2 required higher temperatures (up to 1050°C) for full spinel formation. The results demonstrate that the choice of precursor salts significantly affects the phase formation temperature and crystallite size of MgAl2O4 spinel obtained via the citrate sol–gel route.
This study examines yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) powders synthesized by chemical precipitation with and without ammonium sulfate dispersant. The influence of the dispersant on particle size distribution during calcination at various temperatures was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed pronounced changes in the particle size and morphology of the powder, depending on the presence of the dispersant. Phase transformation kinetics were investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and simultaneous thermal analysis (STA). The results support a new mechanism for reducing agglomeration in YAG powders through the addition of ammonium sulfate, which involves the formation of intermediate yttrium sulfate and oxysulfate phases that gradually decompose into the garnet phase.
This article examines nanocrystalline powders of yttrium–scandium–aluminum garnet (YSAG) doped with Nd3+ and Sm3+ cations. The powders were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation, and their morphology, phase composition, and particle size distribution were investigated. Three types of ceramic samples were then fabricated from the powders using different pressing techniques: standard non-composite reference samples, composite samples of identical composition, and composite ceramics with layers of differing composition. The first two types exhibited high transparency and homogeneous microstructure. A slight reduction in transmittance was observed in the third group, attributed to residual pores and inclusions near the interlayer boundary, arising from differences in sintering kinetics. The influence of uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing parameters on the microstructure and optical properties of YSAG:Nd3+/YSAG:Sm3+ composite ceramics was examined. It was shown that a region of gradient doping enriched in Sm3+ ions forms at the interface between YSAG:Nd3+ and YSAG:Sm3+ layers, with its width presumably dependent on pressing conditions and sintering parameters.
This article examines the thermochemical strengthening of aluminosilicate glass. The glass was treated in molten KNO3 under industrial and laboratory conditions at 440 – 480°C for 1 – 120 h. The influence of treatment parameters on the properties of the glass was evaluated using Vickers microhardness measurements and spectrophotometry. Compressive stresses were determined using magnetophotoelasticity. The depth of the compressed layer was assessed using local birefringence analysis, and cation exchange was monitored by x-ray fluorescence analysis. A relationship was established between the temperature–time parameters of ion exchange and variations in the structural, mechanical, and optical properties of the glass.
