Synthesis and characterization of uniform zirconia particles by homogeneous precipitation method

Abstract

Colloidal spherical particles (micrometer size) of zirconia were synthesized at 50°C by homogeneous precipitation method from aqueous solutions, containing appropriate amounts of zirconium chloride, hydrochloric acid, potassium sulphate and urea. Results revealed that reactants concentration significantly affected characteristics of the precipitated solids, which ranged from gel to dispersion of discrete particles. Size uniformity in the resulted particles was obtained only under limited conditions. SEM images revealed that particles of zirconia obtained under the described experimental conditions have spherical morphology, which maintained their original shape after calcination at 700°C. Selected powders were also characterized with XRD, TGA/DTA, and FT-IR techniques. XRD results showed that as-prepared and calcined powders were crystalline. We believe that our method is simple and has the potential for further tailoring of the particles characteristics. Work is in progress in our laboratory in developing Cu-ZrO2 metal matrix composite coating on steel substrate with better resistant properties than simple Cu electroplating.