Synthesis and characterization of Y2O3-ZrO2 and Y2O3-CeO2-ZrO2 precursor powders

Thixotropic gels of the precursor powders of the titled compounds have been prepared by the addition of oxalic acid to the mixed solutions of metal salts at room temperature (≈ 27 °C). The clear sols of yttrium-zirconyl oxalate (YZO) and yttrium-cerium-zirconyl oxalate (YCZO) gelled within a few hours and were oven-dried at 40 °C. The various stages of gelation behaviour of the sols are explained on the basis of DLVO theory. By repeptizing the dried gel powders with water, concentrated sols were prepared. The gelation time as a function of chloride ion concentration is discussed for both sols. The nature of the temperature dependence of the dried gel powders was studied by means of thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. Powder X-ray diffraction was used to study the crystallization behaviour of the dried amorphous gel powders. It is found that these powders crystallize in tetragonal phase when calcined at 850 °C for 1 h. Estimation of surface area and infra-red characterization have also been carried out for the prepared powders.