Solid electrolytes based on {1 − (x + y)}ZrO(2)-(x)MgO-(y)CaO ternary system: Preparation, characterization, ionic conductivity, and dielectric properties

Different composition of composite material of zirconium dioxide co-doped with magnesium oxide [MgO(x)] and calcium oxide [CaO(y)] according to the general molecular formula {1 − (x + y)}ZrO(2)-(x)MgO-(y)CaO were prepared by co-precipitation method and characterized by different techniques, such as XRD, FTIR, TG-DTA, and SEM. Co-doping was conducted to enhance the ionic conductivity, as mixed system show higher conductivity than the single doped one. Arrhenius plots of the conductance revealed that the co-doped composition “6Mg3Ca” has a higher conductivity with a minimum activation energy of 0.003 eV in temperature range of 50–190 °C. With increasing temperature, dielectric constant value increased; however, with increasing frequency it shows opposite trend. Co-doped composition C(2) exhibit higher conductivity compared to C(3), owing to the concentration of Mg content (0–6%); the conductivity decreases thereafter. Zirconium oxide was firstly used for medical purpose in orthopaedics, but currently different type of zirconia-ceramic materials has been successfully introduced into the clinic to fix the dental prostheses.