Synthesis and sintering of Y2O3-doped ZrO2 powders using two Pechini-type gel routes

Yttria-tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (ZrO2 + 4.5 mol% Y2O3) nanocrystalline powder was synthesized by two Pechini-type gel routes, the in situ polymerized complex (IPC) method and the PEG/AF method. FTIR spectra confirmed coordination of metal ions with the polymer by different routes, depending on the method used. The crystallite size of the powder increased from 5 nm to 8 nm when the temperature was increased from 450 °C to 600 °C and calcination times increased from 2 h to 24 h. The morphology of the powders differed only when the organic impurities were not completely eliminated. After calcination, the morphology of the powders produced by the two methods showed porous agglomerates composed of smaller particles. All the resulting microstructures were very similar, regardless of the method employed to obtain the powder or the calcination times and temperatures.