Synthesis and characterization of pure tetragonal nanocrystalline sulfated 8YSZ powder by sol–gel route

YSZ nanocrystals were synthesized by sol–gel method in basic condition (pH = 10). Then, they were modified by sulfate ions using the sulfating agent of sulfuric acid (H2SO4 0.5 M). The synthesized samples showed pure tetragonal phase and the high temperature of 900 °C. Modifying Zirconia by both of sulfate ions and yttria significantly increased the stability of tetragonal phase, compared with zirconia modified by either yttria or sulfating ions. XRD, TEM, SEM, FT-IR, and PL analyses have been used to characterize the nanocrystals. All the analyses showed that small size and fairly uniform particles were generated in a range of 10 to 35 nm.