120 MeV swift Auion induced phase transition in ZrO: monoclinic to tetragonal and cubic to tetragonal structure.

This study reports the effect of 120 MeV swift Auion irradiation on the structures of monoclinic, tetragonal and cubic ZrO, probed through x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. Three phases of ZrOwere prepared using the solution combustion method. The tetragonal and cubic phases of ZrOwere stabilized at room temperature by adding 6% and 10% of yttrium ions, respectively. Both the XRD and Raman results confirm the partial phase transition from monoclinic to tetragonal, which was approximately 74%. Tetragonal ZrOis stable under 120 MeV Auion irradiation. Interestingly, a phase transition from cubic to tetragonal ZrOwas observed under 120 MeV Auion irradiation. The roles of transient temperature, defects and strain in the lattice induced by swift heavy ions are discussed. This study reveals the structural stability of different phases of ZrOunder swift heavy ion irradiation and should be helpful in choosing potential hosts for various applications such as inert fuel matrix inside the core of nuclear reactors, oxygen sensors and accelerators, and radiation shielding.