Features of Preparing Nano-Size Powders of Tetragonal Zirconium Dioxide Stabilized with Yttrium

The effect of wet chemical synthesis parameters on the properties of nano-powders of zirconium dioxide stabilized with yttrium is studied. Features of nano-powder synthesis by the oxalate, hydroxide and thermal hydrolysis of a sol methods are determined. Nano-size zirconium dioxide powder stabilized with 3 mole% yttrium is prepared by hydrothermal coprecipitation from a sol of metal chlorides and urea followed by dispersion and calcination. The possibility of controlling particle morphology by changing synthesis conditions, subsequent treatment and ultrasonic dispersion of the powder, and the calcination temperature-time schedule are studied by experiment. A method is developed for optimizing particle morphology (level of aggregation (agglomeration capacity)) and size. Non-agglomerated zirconium dioxide powder consisting of uniform nanosized (about 45 nm) aggregates of primary crystals is synthesized.