Phase transformation of ZrO2 nanoparticles produced from zircon

Abstract

This article focuses on the phase transformation of zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles produced from zircon using a bottom-up approach. The influence of mechanical milling and thermal annealing on crystalline phase transformation of ZrO2 nanoparticles was explored. It was found that the iron oxide, as an inherent impurity present in ZrO2 nanoparticles, produced from zircon stabilises the cubic phase after calcination at 600°C. The stabilised cubic phase of ZrO2 nanoparticles was disappeared and transformed into partial tetragonal and monoclinic phases after mechanical milling. The phase transformation occurred on account of the crystal defect induced by high-energy mechanical milling. The destabilisation of cubic phase into monoclinic phase was observed after the thermal annealing of ZrO2 nanoparticles at 1000°C. The phase transitions observed are correlated to the exclusion of iron oxide from the zirconia crystal structure.