Synthesis and characterisation of CeO2-coated ZrO2 powder-based TZP

A novel technique is described for the preparation of Al2O3-doped CeO2-coat ed ZrO2 nanopowders from a solution of :aluminium nitrate and cerium nitrat e in a mixed alcohol/water suspension with monoclinic zirconia (m-ZrO2) pow der. Drying of the suspension and subsequent calcination of the powder at 8 00 degreesC results in alumina-doped CeO2-coated m-ZrO2 nanopowder with a g rain size below 100 nm. The as-prepared powder can be pressureless sintered in air at 1450 degrees into dense ceria-stabilised tetragonal polycrystals (Ce-TZP) materials with an excellent fracture toughness of 11 MPa m(1/2) a nd a Vickers hardness of 750 kg/mm(2) (HV30). The microstructure and mechan ical properties of the alumina-doped CeO2-coated powder-based TZP are compa red with that of a Ce-TZP obtained from commercially available co-precipita ted powder. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.