Applications of quantitative image analysis to the description of the morphology of ZrO2 including 10% Eu3+ and their polyurethane nanocomposites

This paper presents the application of stereology methods to the description of morphological properties of ZrO2 including 10% Eu3+ and its nanocomposites. Stereological analysis was performed on ZrO2/10% Eu3+, its aggregates and nanocomposites obtained from it. Fracture images of ZrO2/10% Eu3+, and cut surfaces were obtained using a high-resolution electron microscopy technique. Quantitative analysis of the fracture structure images, obtained with that technique, allowed us to explain the mechanism of changes of mechanical, optical and thermal properties of polyurethane nanocomposites, as well as allowed us to determine the relationships between the structure characteristics and the properties of examined materials. Stereology methods were also found to be useful in a comparative analysis of polyurethane nanocomposites structure and the structure of ZrO2/10% Eu.Hardness, abrasive wear, emission spectra, glass transition temperature of polyurethane ZrO2/10% Eu3+ nanocomposites were investigated. Images were obtained using HRSEM.