Sol-gel synthesis and microwave assisted sintering of zirconia-ceria solid solution

Zirconia, ceria and zirconia-ceria solid solution have been synthesized using internal gelation process. The thermal decomposition behaviour of internally gelated ZrO2, CeO2 and Zr0.9Ce0.1O2 were investigated using thermo-gravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) along with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The ceria gel decomposes to give a crystalline phase whereas zirconia as well as zirconia-ceria gels decompose to amorphous phase which on heating undergoes irreversible transformation to corresponding equilibrium crystalline phases. The sol-gel derived product could be sintered to 92% theoretical density using microwave energy source in 60 min. The oxides obtained from the thermal decomposition are found to be nano-phasic in nature.