Stabilization of tetragonal zirconia in alumina-zirconia and alumina-yttria stabilized zirconia nanocomposites: A comparative structural analysis

Mass production of alumina-zirconia and alumina-yttria stabilized zirconia nanocomposites powder was prepared from nitrate precursors using an automated hot-air spray pyrolysis technique. The microstructural characteristics of nanocomposites were comprehensively analyzed. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that completely a tetragonal-zirconia phase was stabilized in the nanocomposites at elevated temperature. The average crystallite size for the corresponding nanocomposites powder was measured respectively in the range of 6-65 and 10-47 nm. The produced large quantity of nanopowder was discovered as controlled particle size (d(50)) of 30 nm, spherical shape, and free flowing structure had a surface area of 61 m(2) g(-1). Further, their structural phase identification and its transformation were correlated through thermal analyzer and diffraction pattern. The interpretation for an increase in hardness and decrease in elastic modulus values of nanocomposites was witnessed at a wide range of calcination. Finally, the t-ZrO2 toughened nanocomposites was retained their overall specific properties and same will be more viable for various industrial applications.