Raman Spectroscopy of Nanocrystalline Ceria and Zirconia Thin Films

The results of Raman‐scattering studies of nanocrystalline CeO 2 and ZrO 2 :16% Y (YSZ) thin films are presented. The relationship between the lattice disorder and the form of the Raman spectra is discussed and correlated with the microstructure. It is shown that the Raman line shape results from phonon confinement and spatial correlation effects and yields information about the material nonstoichiometry level.