Colloidal stability of aqueous suspensions of barium zirconate

In this article, the colloidal behaviour of aqueous suspensions of barium zirconate is investigated. The variation of ζ-potential as a consequence of changing the pH and the concentration of an anionic polyelectrolyte is studied, the isoelectric point occurring at pH 5.3. The IEP shifts down on calcining the powder and also when anionic polyelectrolytes are added. Rheological studies have been made on suspensions prepared to a solids loading of 27 vol.% (72 wt.%). Optimum dispersing conditions are reached for suspensions prepared at basic pH with 1.5 wt.% tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and a concentration of ammonium polymethacrylate (PMAA) of 1.6 wt.%. Comparison with similar suspensions prepared with NaOH instead PMAA demonstrated that TMAH gives an extra contribution to stability, probably related to the adsorption of N+(Me)4 groups. The suspensions were slip cast, and green densities higher than 60% of theoretical were obtained.