Obtainment of Stabilized Zirconium Dioxide via the High-Frequency Magnetron Sputtering of a Metallic Target

Abstract

The influence of the yttrium concentration on the structure of coatings prepared via the high-frequency magnetron sputtering of a metal target is investigated. The results of coating deposition in pure argon and a mixed (Ar + O₂), reactive medium are discussed. It is demonstrated that a nonequilibrium body-centered-cubic solid solution based on zirconium with an extended homogeneous region (up to 16 at % Y) is formed under the condition that a target is sputtered in pure argon. During reactive-coating deposition, the formation of cubic or tetragonal zirconium dioxide is generated depending on the yttrium concentration. The tetragonal structure is created if the yttrium concentration is 8 at %. It is found that the obtained tetragonal zirconium dioxide is thermally stable both in terms of structure and in morphology upon heat treatment in air at 1100°C for 11 h.