Formation characterization and rheological properties of zirconia and ceria-stabilized zirconia

Abstract

Zirconia and ceria-stabilized zirconia (12Ce-TZP) were synthesized by the dicarboxylate coprecipitation technique such as fumarate, succinate, tartarate and adipate. The formation of these dicarboxylate precursors was studied by elemental analysis, thermal analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The precursors were further decomposed at 650oC for 2 hours to form respective zirconia and ceria-stabilized zirconia. The composition of these oxides was checked by Atomic absorption spectrometer and Energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The structural and morphological characterization of these oxides was done by using X-ray diffraction analysis, surface area, scanning electron micrographs and particle size distribution analysis. These properties were found depending to great extent on the nature of the precursors. The zirconia and ceria-stabilized zirconia obtained from adipate precursor were found to be good for slip- casting. The slips (i.e., suspensions) of these oxides with different solid contents were prepared at different pH with distilled water and ethanol as dispersing agents, with and without deflocculant. The suspension rheological flow (i.e., variation of shear stress and viscosity with shear rate) was determined. The minimum viscosities were observed at pH = 10.16 for ZrO2- water and pH = 10.26 for 12Ce–TZP-water system. The slip, green and sedimentation bulk density were measured.