IDENTIFIKASI FASA DAN MIKROSTRUKTUR SERBUK ZIRKONIA (ZrO2) BERBAHAN DASAR PASIR ZIRKON ALAM

Abstract

[Titel: Identification Of Phases And Microstructure Of Zirconia (ZrO 2) Powder Based On Natural Zircon Sand] The extraction of zirconia powder (ZrO 2) based on zircon sand from Kereng Pangi, Central Kalimantan, was carried out using the alkali fusion and coprecipitation methods. This study aimed to identify the phases and microstructure of the extracted zirconia powder. The analysis of the element composition of the extracted zirconia powder was conducted using X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), which showed a high purity level with a weight percentage (wt%) of Zr reaching 92.0%. The formation of the zirconia powder phase detected using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) indicated an amorphous zirconia phase with a peak angle of 2θ at 30.2 o. The characteristics of the amorphous zirconia phase in the XRD pattern are indicated by the presence of broad peak shapes and a wide 2θ region. Meanwhile, the observation of the surface morphology of the zirconia powder using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed an irregular zirconia microstructure with wide plate-like particle surfaces and non-homogeneous particle distribution, with an average zirconia particle size ranging from 10 μm to 100 μm. The non-homogeneity of the zirconia particles was caused by the presence of agglomeration observed on the zirconia particle surfaces.