Effect of SiO2 nanoparticles sizes on the optical properties and radiation resistance of powder mixtures ZrO2 with micron sizes

•An increase in the radiation resistance of zirconia dioxide powders was found.•The effect is achieved without heating at a high temperature.•Into powders of micron-sized were added of nanopowders.•For these purposes only water evaporation at 150 °C was used.

One way to improve photo- and radiation resistance of materials is by the modification of their nanoparticles. The purpose of work is to study the optical properties and radiation resistance of ZrO2 powder mixtures with SiO2 nanoparticles without high-temperature heating. The ZrO2 powders with micron sizes were mixed in a ratio of 100:7 mas.% with SiO2 nanopowders. The nanopowders were obtained by combustion of silicon tetrachloride in air plasma. Samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and a simulator of the environment of outer space “Spectrum”. The radiation resistance increase of zirconia dioxide powders with micron-sized grains by the addition of silica nanoparticles without heating at a high temperature was found. For these purposes only water evaporation at 150 °C was used. The effectiveness of the modification reaches values of 2.1 times. This value is close to or even more in comparison to its values in the modification by using high-temperature heating. This result is significant for the practical use of this method of incensement of the radiation resistance of oxide reflecting powders.