Synthesis and Thermal Properties of Europium-Cerium Oxide as a New Fluorite-Type Ceramic Material for Thermal Barrier Coatings Applications

In the present paper the structure and thermal properties of europium cerium oxides were investigated. The material for the research was obtained via solid state synthesis. The initial powders: ceria CeO₂ and europia Eu₂O₃ were mixed in 1:1 mass ratio (non-stoichiometric proportion with the excess of CeO₂) and milled. The sintering process was performed using high temperature vacuum press at 1350°C. Calorimetric analysis was conducted both for initial powders and milled mixture. The structure, phase composition and thermal diffusivity of obtained material were investigated in as-sintered condition. It was revealed that the obtained material was multi-phase. Non-stoichiometric phases including Ce_0.5Eu_0.5O_1.75 with fluorite type structure and different lattice parameters were present. Thermal diffusivity decreased in the range from 25 to 900°C from 1.49 to 0.57 mm² /s and then increased to 0.70 mm² /s at 1400°C.