Effects of solvent and agitation on microstructural characteristics of sol-gel derived nanocrystalline Y-TZP powders

Nanocrystalline yttria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) powders were prepared by chemical precipitation from nitrate salts using distilled wate r, azeotropic compositions of ethanol and isopropanol with water, and surfa ctant. Magnetic stirring and ultrasonic mixing were employed. Application o f Menhaden fish oil in water resulted in the finest particle size of 3.9 nm with a BET value of 111 cm(2) g(-1). Sonication in pure aqueous solvent re sulted in a finer particle size compared to that obtained by magnetic stirr ing. Sonication in the alcohol based solvents resulted in coarser particle size compared to that obtained by magnetic stirring. Compaction curves indi cated that water containing Menhaden fish oil and isopropanol based solvent s yielded weak agglomerate powders. The relations between the solvent type and agitation method to the particle characteristics are discussed. (C) 199 9 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.