Preparation of Spherical Nanometer ZrO2 Reunion Powders via Single Emulsion Assisted with Homogeneous Precipitation

Abstract

The water droplets in the microemulsion system of xylene/water/Span-80 can act as a micro-reactor which solubilize Zr(NO3)4, Y(NO3)3, and dimethyloxalate. The homogeneous precipitation reactions will take place in the restricted spaces determined by the droplets size. The micro-reactors help us obtain spherical nanometer ZrO2(Y2O3) reunion powders successfully. The spherical nanometer ZrO2(Y2O3) reunion powders and the precursor powders were characterized by means of TG-DTA, XRD, SEM and laser particle analyzer. It was investigated that the effect of Span-80 concentration on morphology and crystal phase composition of reunion powders. The result shows that as the volume ratio Vxylene:VSpan-80:Vwater= 40:1.0:8, the well spherical and excellent dispersion reunion powders with size of 4-16um were prepared after the precursor powders were sintered at 600°C for 2h. The Span-80 concentration has no effect on the crystal phase composition of reunion powders, however, has significant effect on the morphology of reunion powders.