Application of radioluminescence technique for zirkonia powder and nanoceramics

Radioluminescence of zirconia powder and hot pressed nanoceramics was measured. The differences in luminescence spectra of powder and nanoceramics samples were explained by the change of the relation between intensities of two light emitting centers at 2.6 and 3.1 eV. The reason may be the transition of the crystal structure during hot pressing sintering of powder and formation of nanoceramics. Luminescence spectrum modification depended on the ratio of luminescence intensities of the peaks. We made the assumption that the intensity of the peaks (2.6 and 3.1 eV) correlated with the fraction of tetragonal and monoclinic phases in the crystal structure of the sample, respectively.