Nonstoichiometry in Pure and Zr‐Doped Yttria Ceramics: An EXAFS and XPS Study

Nonstoichiometry is exhibited by many ceramics at very high temperatures. The high‐temperature treatment of yttria, in particular, can induce a large concentration of point defects that changes the electrical and mechanical behavior of the solid. In the present study, the electronic and geometric structures of nonstoichiometric pure and Zr‐doped yttria are examined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X‐ray absorption. The results show that the doping atom influences the level of stoichiometry, as well as the induced disorder and the change in the partial ionic character of the Y‐O bond.