A Novel Approach for Synthesis of a Nanocrystalline Yttria Stabilized Zirconia Powder via Polymeric Precursor Routes

Abstract

A nanocrystalline powder of 5 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is prepared by polymeric precursor routes. Three different routes, viz. (i) amorphous citrate process, (ii) Pechini process and (iii) polyethylene glycol (PEG) assisted process are examined. In these processes, parameters such as metal cations to fuel ratio or components of fuel are varied and the effects analyzed. A novel experimental procedure for controlled combustion based on the thermal analysis has been adopted. All the three processes yield nanocrystalline powders with average crystallite size lying in the range of 9 to 18 nm. Densities as high as 99% of theoretical density (TD) could be achieved by sintering the compacts of powders at a relatively low temperature of 1400°C for 2 h.

Keywords:

• Yttria stabilized zirconia
• Sensors
• Polymeric precursor
• Combustion method
• Sintering
• Grain size