Preparation of monodispersed Y-doped ZrO₂ powders

Abstract

3 mol% Y-doped ZrO₂ powders prepared by the controlled hydrolysis of metal alkoxides were monodispersed and grown to 0.5μm after 5 h ageing. The as-prepared powder was amorphous and hydrate but transformed into a tetragonal single phase by heating. Furthermore, the Y₂O₃ concentration of each particle was almost the same in all particles. The synthesis conditions such as ageing time, ageing temperature and water concentration greatly affected the particle morphology. The refluxing of the alkoxide solution was particularly necessary to prepare the monodispersed particles. On the basis of the variation of size distribution with ageing time, the mechanism of particle growth was discussed.