Abstract
The influence of foreign salt additives, namely (NH2)2CO and NH4NO3, on the structure and texture of ZrO2, Nb2O5, La2O3 and ThO2, produced by thermal decomposition of their nitrates, has been investigated. Thermal behaviour of oxide precursors (metal nitrates) as well as additive salts (pure and impregnated into the oxides) was explored by thermogravimetry. Accordingly, the calcination products of the additive-free and additive-containing oxides were obtained at the appropriate temperatures. The final oxide materials, with and without additives, were characterized by X-ray diffractometry. Slight structural modifications were detectable, viz. a retardation to crystallinity and particle size decrease. Texture assessment (surface area and porosity) was carried out via analysis of nitrogen adsorption isotherms (at −196°C) adopting BET- and t-methods. The additives, particularly of urea, were found to improve notably the surface area and porosity. This was correlated with the structural modifications conceded by the material bulk.
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