When size matters: Yttrium oxide breaking down under pressure

Sometimes size does matter, such as when certain nanomaterials exhibit different behaviors under varying extreme conditions. An example is yttrium oxide (Y2O3), a compound employed in industrial coatings and many other applications, including nanotechnology. But as with many similar materials, the qualities and stabilities of yttrium oxide on the nanoscale can vary greatly from those of the bulk material, so a thorough understanding of those differences and how they work is crucial.

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