Rev.Adv.Mater.Sci. (RAMS)
No 1/2, Vol. 16, 2007, pages 96-101

INFLUENCE OF PRECURSOR DISPERSITY AND AGGLOMERATION ON
MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ZrO2-Ce2O3 AND ZrO2-Y2O3-Ce2O3 CERAMICS

Vladimir G. Konakov, Sudipta Seal, Elena N. Solovieva, Denis A. Ivanov-Pavlov,
Michail M. Pivovarov, Sergei N. Golubev and Alexandr V. Shorochov

Abstract

Powder precursors of ZrO2 - Ce2O3 and ZrO2-Y2O3- Ce2O3 systems were synthesized by sol-gel method. Dispersity of the powders depended on concentrations of starting reagents and synthesis conditions. To characterize the powder dispersity and aggregated state, electron microscopy and laser scattering particle size distribution analysis were used. Ceramic samples were prepared from these powder precursors; their mechanical characteristics were studied by three points bending method at 1000°C. It was revealed that bending strength - particle size curve for ZrO2-Ce2O3 system has a pronounced maximum. This phenomenon is explained by a change in cerium valence depending on powder precursor agglomerate size.

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