Rapid densification of Samarium-doped Ceria ceramic with nanometric grain size at 900–1100 °C

In the present work 10 mol% Samarium-doped Ceria nanopowders are densified by fast firing in 15–300 s, using a pre-heated furnace at temperature from 900 to 1100 °C. Outstanding sintering rates are achieved revealing that the densification mechanisms are well activated. The sintered pellets possess nanometric grain size, in almost all the cases below 100 nm. It is also shown that finer microstructures are obtained by increasing the firing temperature. The beneficial effect of an high heating rate process on densification and grain size is pointed out; allowing to define an optimum treating condition at 1100 °C using a soaking time of 30–60 s.