Preparation of porous zirconium microspheres by magnesiothermic reduction and their microstructural characteristics

Porous zirconium metal microspheres were synthesized successfully by a combustion technique using ZrO(2) + 2Mg starting mixture. In this process, a controlled amount of KClO(3) + 3Mg is mixed with ZrO(2) + 2Mg to enable a self-sustaining combustion process and to promote a reduction of the ZrO(2). The framework structure, morphology, and porosity of zirconium microspheres were determined using various techniques. Microscopic visualization suggested that the spherical structure has macroporous windows of diameter similar to 0.5-5.0 mu m and the space between the macropores has a wormhole-like mesoporous/microporous structure. The mesoporous structure had a pore diameter of similar to 1.19 nm. This procedure provides an easy method for the synthesis of porous microspherical assemblies of Zr composed of submicrometer size particles.