TITLE:
Synthesis and Characterization of Alumina-Zirconia Powders Obtained by Sol-Gel Method: Effect of Solvent and Water Addition Rate
AUTHORS:
Julio Del Angel, Alberto F. Aguilera, Ignacio R. Galindo, Merced Martínez, Tomas Viveros
KEYWORDS:
Alumina-Zirconia; Mixed Oxides; Sol Gel Method; Effect of Solvent; Water Addition Rate
JOURNAL NAME:
Materials Sciences and Applications,
Vol.3 No.9,
September
27,
2012
ABSTRACT: The influence of solvent and the rate of addition of water on the characteristics of alumina-zirconia powders obtained by sol-gel method were investigated. The Al2O3-ZrO2 powders (1:1 molar ratio) were prepared using aluminum tri-sec-butoxide and zirconium n-propoxide as precursors. Ethanol (EtOH), isopropanol (iPrOH) and isobutanol (iBuOH) were used as solvents. The Al2O3-ZrO2 powders were characterized by nitrogen physisorption (SBET), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Prepared oxides calcined at 700℃ showed high specific surface area (200 - 240 m2/g). Obtained results suggest that the homogeneity of the mixed oxides is favored by using a water addition rate of 0.06 and 0.10 mL/min with ethanol as solvent.