On the Synthesis of ZnO : Al Ceramics by the Slip Casting Method

The synthesis process of aluminum-doped zinc-oxide ceramics (ZnO : Al) from an initial mixture of commercial powders of zinc and aluminum oxides with a low specific surface area (no more than 5 m 2 /g) which consists in the preliminary formation of a slip and subsequent high-temperature sintering in an open atmosphere is studied. It is found that the porosity of the slip blank, density of sintered ceramics, and degree of predominant stacking of grains in it depend on both the duration of grinding of the slip and its pH index. It is demonstrated that, by optimizing the conditions of slip casting, obtaining conducting ZnO : Al ceramics with a density of more than 97% relative to the standard density of ZnO is possible, which is acceptable in the synthesis of ceramic targets intended for the formation of energy-saving thermal control coatings.