Characteristics and Sinterability of Ceria Stabilized Zirconia Nanoparticles Prepared by Chemical Methods

Microwave assisted and molten salts synthesis were extended for preparation of ceria (10 mol%; 15 mol%) stabilized zirconia and their parameters and sinterability were compared with that of particles prepared by the sol-gel combustion method. As-prepared powders by using microwave assisted and sol-gel combustion synthesis contained single tetragonal ZrO2 phase but powders prepared by molten salts combustion method contained two ceria-stabilized tetragonal phases with different content of ceria. The crystallite size of the as-prepared zirconia phases was in the range of 3.2-9.4 nm and the average particles size is in the range of 7.6-24.6 nm depending on the synthesis method. Additional calcination of the powders up to 1000 degrees C led to increase of crystallite size in the range of 19-25 nm and decrease of specific surface area in the range of 18-21 m(2)/g and partial formation of monoclinic phase of ZrO2. Bulk materials with tine-grained microstructure (0.8 -1.6 mu m) and density in the range of 95.2-97.2 % were obtained by spark plasma sintering at 1280-1310 degrees C during 3 min. Nanoparticles prepared by microwave assisted synthesis showed better sinterability and higher density.