Structure, morphology and mechanical properties of arrays of zirconia nanofibers at different heat treatment modes

Abstract

Mats of yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia nanofibers were prepared in the present research. The effect of the mats calcination temperatures (600, 900, and 1200 °C) on their structure and morphology was investigated. It was found that phase composition of the fibers did not change in all range of the calcination temperatures, while the average grain size in fiber increased from 8 to 39 nm. Multi-cyclic and single loading-unloading nanoindentation testing of the ceramic mats showed that the hysteresis loop energy in samples decreases with higher calcination temperature. Hardness and the elastic modulus measured by spherical (with 10 and 250 μm radii) and sharp Berkovich indenters were the highest in the mats calcined at 900 °C. This calcination temperature can be considered an optimal one for preparation of nanofibers mats which mechanical properties are of importance for their application.