Thermophysical properties of La2(Zr0.7Ce0.3)2O7 prepared by hydrothermal synthesis for nano-sized thermal barrier coatings

Nano-sized lanthanum–zirconium–cerium composite oxide (La2(Zr0.7Ce0.3)2O7, LZ7C3) for potential TBCs (thermal barrier coatings) application was synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The crystal structures, morphologies, and sintering behaviors of the as-prepared powders and sintered ceramic bodies were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. The XRD and Raman spectroscopy results indicate that LZ7C3 shows a pyrochlore-type structure throughout the sintering temperature from 1000 °C to 1500 °C. The relative density, volume shrinkage rate, thermal expansion coefficient, and thermal conductivity of LZ7C3 are also investigated and compared with La2Zr2O7 and 8YSZ. The results reveal that nano-sized LZ7C3 is potentially suitable for the application as a TBCs material.