Abstract
High dislocation density in zirconia systems may significantly affect oxygen ion conductivity. Several processes for introduction of high dislocation density were investigated including ion irradiation. YSZ single crystals were irradiated with Ar+ ions and dislocations were observed by TEM. After heat treatment, high dislocation density was observed in a certain range of depth, and no dislocations were observed in the vicinity of the surface. Conductivity measurements by AC impedance spectroscopy indicated that conductivity improved by 55%.