Preparation of concentrated aqueous suspensions from nanosized plasma-processed zirconia powder

Abstract

Four commercially available dispersants have been compared for their ability to produce high-concentrated suspensions of the partially stabilized nanosized zirconia powder, processed by the plasma technique. Zeta potential measurements are used to study the influence of these dispersants on the electrokinetic properties of the powder surface. The highest solid loading (up to 70 wt%) is achieved using Atsurf 3222 and KD7 as dispersants. The optimal amounts of the dispersant (2–3 wt% of the dry mass of the solid) have been determined by adsorption and viscosity measurements. On the basis of obtained data, the correlation between the surface electrokinetic properties and maximal suspension concentration reached is discussed.