Impure zirconia was stabilized by 12wt%Y2O3 concentrate (85wt%Y2O3 plus 15wt% of rare earths). It was found to have a high grain, and grain-boundary, conductivity. The effect of the rare earths upon the segregation of impurities was studied for 4 different compositions. The microstructures revealed evidence of the enhanced segregation of impurities due to rare earth ions. The increased grain and grain-boundary conductivities were attributed to the segregation of impurities.

D.P.F.De Souza, A.L.Chinelatto, M.F.De Souza: Journal of Materials Science, 1995, 30[17], 4355-62