YPSZ-LSM interactions in spark plasma sintered ceramics

The objective of the present study is to analyze the interactions between yttria partially stabilized zirconia and strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (YPSZ-LSM) and lanthanum manganite (LM), after processing by spark plasma sintering. LSM (La_1-xSr_xMnO_3±δ with x = 0.15) and LM (LaMnO_3±δ) were obtained by a mechanosynthesis process using two different types of manganese oxide as precursors: MnO (II) and MnO₂ (IV). The manganite powders were mixed with YPSZ in a 1:1 weight ratio. The mixed powders were uni-axial compacted at 16 MPa and spark plasma sintered (SPS) at 1000°C and 1300°C. Results of the interaction between YPSZ and LSM were obtained and are reported from XRD and SEM analyses. For samples that have been sintered at 1000°C, only those that contain LM and LSM that has been synthesized from manganese (IV) show the formation of lanthanum zirconate; in contrast, all of the samples that have been sintered at 1300°C give raise to lanthanum zirconate. Cubic zirconia is present at room temperature in 15% Sr-doped lanthanum manganite mixtures (1300°C SPS).