Investigation of the infrared radiation characteristics modulation mechanism of titanium dioxide composite yttria-stabilized zirconia ceramics

Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) presents a promising option for infrared camouflage applications due to its lower emissivity within the 3–5 μm waveband. Nevertheless, its emissivity increases within the 8–14 μm waveband, which is attributed to lattice vibration-induced absorption characteristics, combined with an extended Christiansen wavelength (K-point). In this study, we regulate YSZ's infrared radiation performance in the 8–14 μm band by combining a material with lower infrared emissivity in the 8–14 μm band and lower lattice resonance frequencies such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂) based on lattice vibration theory and classical electromagnetic theory. The results showed that as the TiO₂ content increases, the emissivity of the composite ceramic block remains relatively stable in the 3–5 μm band. Notably, With a TiO₂ content of 80 %, the emissivity within the 8–14 μm band decreases from 0.55 to 0.48 and within the 5–8 μm band increases from 0.33 to 0.41, the K-point of ceramics shifted from 12.8 μm to 11.8 μm. It provides an effective approach for modulating the infrared emissivity and K-point of YSZ.