The effects of microstructural modifications were considered with regard to the influence of grain size, and the incorporation of ZrO2 as a second phase, upon the sintering behavior, mechanical properties and conductivity of Bi2V0.9Cu0.1O5.35. These properties were determined by using impedance spectroscopy, fracture toughness and microhardness tests. The incorporation of less than 1wt%ZrO2 increased the optimum sintering temperature; resulting in a reduced grain size of the sintered samples and a more than 15% improvement in the mechanical properties. However, the ionic conductivity was slightly reduced at low temperatures. This was attributed to a high density of grain boundaries in the samples which contained ZrO2.

The Effects of Zirconia Addition on Sintering Behavior, Mechanical Properties and Ion Conductivity of BICUVOX.1 Material. M.H.Paydar, A.M.Hadian, K.Shiamnoe, N.Yamazoe: Journal of the European Ceramics Society, 2001, 21[10-11], 1825-9