Physical science of materials

Effect of proton irradiation on the structure and properties of ZrO$_2$ powders and ceramics

D. R. Belichko^a, G. K. Volkova^a, A. V. Maletskii^ab, R. Sh. Isayev^b, M. N. Yakimenko^a, A. A. Zozulya<sup>a

a</sup> Galkin Donetsk Institute for Physics and Engineering, Donetsk
^b Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Dubna, Moscow region

Abstract: The results of a study of the effects of proton irradiation with an energy of $E_p$ = 2 MeV and a dose of $D_p$ = 1 $\cdot$ 10$^{-17}$ ion/cm$^2$ on oxide powders of the composition ZrO$_2$ + $n$%Y$_2$O$_3$ (where $n$ = 2, 3, 4, 8 mol%) are presented. X-ray phase analysis revealed radiation-induced monoclinic-tetragonal transformation in compacts containing partially stabilized zirconium dioxide after irradiation with a proton stream. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a change in the half-width of diffraction reflections in the compact structure of all the phases studied, regardless of the type of their crystalline structure. grids. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, scanning electron microscopy, and dilatometry revealed an increase in the size of ZrO$_2$ particles during proton flux irradiation. It has also been established that an increase and an increase in porosity in the material is observed during irradiation.

Keywords: zirconia, nanopowders, ceramics, proton flux, irradiation.

Received: 28.03.2025
Revised: 06.05.2025
Accepted: 12.05.2025

DOI: 10.61011/JTF.2025.08.60903.52-25

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