C-type cubic Y2O3 single crystal growth by electrolysis of Y3+ ion conducting solid electrolyte

C-type cubic yttrium oxide single crystals were successfully grown electrochemically by applying the Y3+ ion conducting solid electrolyte of Y2(MoO4)3 at 900 °C. The growth of the single crystal is regulated by the electrolysis condition, and the average crystal size can be intentionally controlled from 0.39 to 0.94 μm by adjusting the electrolysis period. Although single crystal growth of such a refractory oxide as Y2O3 is considerably difficult by the conventional thermal heating–cooling procedures via melt because of high melting point of Y2O3 (ca. 2376 °C), the present electrochemical single crystal growth is simply applicable at moderate temperatures at around 900 °C.