Synthesis of nanometric zirconia powders by hydrothermal reactions of Zr (IV) peroxide precursors

Hydrothermal reaction of a Zr(IV) peroxide precursor in the temperature range 110-180°C was used to produce nanocrystalline zircon ia powders. Cubic metastable ZrO2 is formed with or without the presence of is formed with or without the presence of 2O3 or CeO2 as stabilising agents. After firing 2h at 1000°C the pure ZrO2 powder remains cubic while the doped powders transforms to tetragonal ZrO2. The influence of Zr concentration and treatment temperature on the crystallite sizes are presented. The kinetic constant for the nucleation of cubic zirconia phase was also calculated according to Avrami's kinetic equation.