Optimization of Sol-Gel Conditions for Producing Zirconium Dioxide Nanopowders

Abstract

Six variants of direct and reverse coprecipitation of a mixture of salts by an aqueous solution of ammonia or an ammonia buffer solution with pH 9.5 are considered to optimize the technological scheme for the synthesis of zirconium dioxide nanopowders stabilized with 2.5 mol.% yttrium oxide. The influence of the storage time of the mixture of salt solutions before precipitation on the phase and chemical composition, apparent density, and open porosity of sintered specimens was investigated. The best results were obtained using reverse precipitation with an ammonia buffer as precipitant.