Phase transformation kinetics of 3 mol% yttria partially stabilized zirconia (3Y-PSZ) nanopowders prepared by a non-isothermal process

A crystalline nanopowder of 3 mol% yttria-partially stabilized zirconia (3Y-PSZ) has been synthesized using ZrOCl2 and Y(NO3)3 as raw materials throughout a co-precipitation process in an alcohol–water solution. The phase transformation kinetics of the 3Y-PSZ freeze dried precursor powders have been investigated by nonisothermal methods. Differential thermal and thermogravimetric analyses (DTA/TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM) have been utilized to characterize the 3Y-PSZ nanocrystallites. When the 3Y-PSZ freeze dried powders are calcined in the range of 703–1073 K for 2 h, the crystal structure is composed of tetragonal and monoclinic ZrO2. The BET specific surface area of the 3Y-PSZ freeze dried precursor powders calcined at 703 K for 2 h is 118.42 m2/g, which is equivalent to a crystallite size of 8.14 nm. The activation energy from tetragonal ZrO2 converted to monoclinic ZrO2 in the 3Y-PSZ freeze dried precursor powders was determined as 401.89 kJ/mol. The tetragonal (T) and monoclinic (M) ZrO2 phases coexist with a spherical morphology, and based on TEM examination have a size distribution between 10 and 20 nm. When sintering green compacts of the 3Y-PSZ, a significant linear shrinkage of 8% is observed at about 1283 K. On sintering the densification cycle is complete at approximately 1623 K when a total shrinkage of 32% is observed and a final density above 99% of theoretical was achieved.