Effect of calcined parameters on microstructure and electrical conductivity of 10Sc1CeSZ

10Sc1CeSZ (10 mol% Sc2O3-1 mol% CeO2-89 mol% ZrO2) nanopowders were prepared by hydrothermal and calcinations. The calcined powders were uniaxially compacted into pellets and sintered at 1400 °C for 2 h. The calcined powders and sintered pellets were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared transmission spectroscopy (FTIR) and impedance spectroscopy. The powders calcined at 800 °C for 2 h (and below 800 °C) was beneficial to pellets densification. After the powders were calcined at 800 °C for 2 h, the sintered pellets showed relative density of 97.5%, and its conductivity was 0.108 S cm−1 at 800 °C. The powders calcined at 800 °C for 24 h showed the better conductivity of 0.131 S cm−1 at 800 °C. The microstructure, bulk density and electrical properties of the sintered pellets can be tuned using different calcined parameters.