Solid solutions in ternary phase diagram CeO 2 –ZrO 2 –Er 2 O 3 using pyrolitic precursors

ZrO₂ based ceramics have important technological properties with interesting industrial applications. In the present paper erbia is investigated as a potential replacement for yttria in zirconia based ceramics. Several compositions in the ternary CeO₂–ZrO₂–Er₂O₃ system and to the binary system CeO₂–Er₂O₃, not yet reported, were prepared. Owing to the low reactivity of cerium and erbium oxides, all the powders were prepared from highly reactive powder precursors which could attain equilibrium in short processing times. The method was based on the pyrolysis of soluble salts, according to a technique already previously applied to obtain shorter firing times and lower firing temperatures. The presence of two solid solutions in CeO₂–Er₂O₃ and in CeO₂–ZrO₂–Er₂O₃ systems was stated and its limits were reported.