Solid solutions of metastable tetragonal ZrO2 and Ce3ZrO8 in the system ZrO2-CeO2

In the system ZrO₂-CeO₂, metastable t-ZrO₂ solid solutions containing up to 30 mol% CeO₂ crystallize at temperatures of 385–430 °C from amorphous materials prepared by the hydrazine method. Crystalline Ce₃ZrO₈ solid solutions are formed in as-prepared powders between 30–75 mol % CeO₂. The variation of the lattice parameters of both solid solutions is determined as a function of CeO₂ content. The value of the lattice parameter of pure Ce₃ZrO₈ (cubic) is a = 0.5342 nm. Detailed characterization of the Ce₃ZrO₈ powder has been performed. Crystallite size and particle size are strongly dependent on the heating temperature. Specific surface areas do not drop below 40 m²g^–1 until the heating temperature is above 1000°C.