Eutectic structure from amorphous Al₂O₃-ZrO₂-Y₂O₃system by rapid quenching technique for potential hybrid solar cell application

Abstract

Ternary Al2O3-ZrO2-Y2O3 samples with a eutectic composition were prepared using the rapid quenching method, with some samples further annealed at 1300°C for 30 min and then slow cooled. The microstructural evolution was observed with XRD, SEM, and TEM. The SEM and TEM observations of the ternary samples agreed with the XRD. The rapid quenched sample was an amorphous phase with a small amount of crystalline phase mixed in. Observations showed that the rapid quenched and annealed sample was completely crystalline with a granular structure and well defined crystals of 40-60 nm in size.