Synthesis of nanocrystalline YSZ (ZrO2-8Y2O3) powder by polymerized complex method

In this study namocrystalline powders of yttria-stabilized zirconia (ZrO2-8Y(2)O(3)) have been synthesized through polymerized complex method. Zirconium chloride, yttrium nitrate, citric acid and ethylene glycol were polymerized at 80 degrees C to produce a gel-like mass in which metallic ions were uniformly distributed. During the thermal treatment of dried gel, nanocrystalline powder was formed at 450 degrees C and 650 degrees C for 2 h. Thermal reactions and crystalline phase formation of the dried gel were investigated through thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis, respectively. The results of thermal analysis and XRD showed the formation of nanocrystalline powder at less than 600 degrees C. Chemical bonding of the dried gel was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Morphology of powder calcined at 650 degrees C was analyzed by scanning electron microscope. Yttria-stabilized zirconia powders with the mean crystallite size of 6 nm were prepared successfully by this method. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.