Preparation of ZrO2 coated graphite powders

Graphite powders were coated with ZrO2 by the controlled hydrolysis of a zi rconium oxychloride aqueous solution. The hydrolysis process was carried ou t with temperature control because of the low wettability of ZrO2 to the su rface of the graphite. PVA was added to the solution for the enhancement of Zr ion adsorption. The surface of the graphite particles coated with ZrO2 was observed by TEM. There are two types of ZrO2 particles; (a) primary par ticles a few nm in size and (b) secondary particles with similar to 0.1 mu m size were obtained. The data of oxidation weight loss and surface potenti al show that the graphite surface was successfully modified by the forced h ydrolysis of the zirconium chloride aqueous solution. (C) 2000 Kluwer Acade mic Publishers.