Work

Architecting dual heterogeneous structures to achieve robust mechanical properties in ZrO 2 ‐SiO 2 nanocrystalline ceramics

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Heterostructured materials hold great potential for achieving superior mechanical properties. However, the majority of current studies on heterostructured ceramics have predominantly focused on layered systems. Here, we report a new 3YSZ‐(ZrO 2 ‐SiO 2 ) dual‐heterostructured ceramic composites (DHCCs) comprising 3 mol% yttria‐stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) domains and ZrO 2 ‐SiO 2 domains. The DHCCs exhibited a dual‐level hierarchical structure. Specifically, the 3YSZ domain consisted of submicron ZrO 2 grains, while the ZrO 2 ‐SiO 2 domain was composed of ZrO 2 nanograins dispersed within an amorphous SiO 2 matrix. To fabricate the DHCCs, hybrid powders were first synthesized by a chemical co‐precipitation method, followed by sintering to produce dense DHCCs. The phase composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the DHCCs were characterized. Compared with the homogeneously structured ZrO 2 ‐SiO 2 ceramic, the DHCCs exhibited an 85.6% increase in strength and a 47.2% improvement in fracture toughness. Finally, the underlying strengthening and toughening mechanisms of the DHCCs were elucidated. These findings demonstrate that architecting dual‐heterogeneous structures represents an effective strategy for achieving robust mechanical properties.

Source: Journal of the American Ceramic Society

DOI: 10.1111/jace.70386

Authors: Le Fu, Wenjun Yu, Bohan Wang, Zihua Lei, Mingxi Deng, Guanghua Liu, Gemei Cai

Institutions: Central South University, State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, Tsinghua University

Language: English

Topic: Advanced ceramic materials synthesis

Subfield: Ceramics and Composites

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province