Phase Composition and Structure of Zirconia-Based Ceramic Materials Prepared by Exothermic Synthesis

— Zirconia has been prepared by exothermic synthesis from solutions, using nitrates and a glycine–urea reducing agent. The phase composition of the synthesis products and the relationship between the zirconia polymorphs have been determined as functions of the amount and nature of the stabilizing oxide and the heat treatment temperature. The addition of 5% calcium and yttrium has been shown to ensure the preparation of a material with partial stabilization of tetragonal zirconia (50–70%) or complete stabilization of the tetragonal phase. The synthesized zirconia consists of flaky macroparticles of various sizes, which in turn consist of rounded nanocrystalline particles up to 100 nm in size. The crystallite size is 10–20 nm.