Experimental investigation of particle size distribution and morphology of alumina-yttria-ceria-zirconia powders obtained via sol–gel route

Abstract

BackgroundOxide-doped zirconia is currently commonly used ceramics in dental prosthetics. However, its use raises a lot of controversy. This is related to the stability of the zirconia metastable phases in the human mouth environment and it sensitivity for the so-called low-temperature degradation. A key way to avoid this type of negative phenomena is doping ZrO2 with selected metal oxides and choosing appropriate methods for the synthesis of ceramic powders. ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to present investigations of modification and to analyse the influence of chemical composition and volume of parent-solvent for the morphology and thermal properties of ceramic powders prepared in a ZrO2-CeO2-Y2O3-Al2O3 system. MethodsThe powders were obtained by using the sol–gel method in an inert gas atmosphere and ambient temperature using zirconium n-propoxide for this purpose. Morphology was examined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size distribution (PSD); thermal properties was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA/DTG), and chemical composition was confirmed by using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) ResultsDepending from the volume of the CeO2 precursor solution of and regardless of the volume of the second oxide precursor, was observed difference in morphology of the obtained powders. Overall trend is related to reduce the size of agglomerates with an increase in the volume of the precursor of CeO2. ConclusionsThe influence of various chemical compositions for morphology and thermal properties is negligible. In contrast, a clear correlation is observed between the volume of parent alcohol for both morphology and thermal properties. Use of sol–gel method to further research in view of these results appears to be appropriate.