An investigation of the formation, the particulate properties and the rheological behaviour of cerium vanadate and zirconium titanate prepared by dicarboxylate coprecipitation method

Cerium vanadate (CeVO4) and zirconium titanate (ZrTiO4) powders have been synthesized by the dicarboxylate coprecipitation method. The formation of precursors and mixed oxides was confirmed by their elemental and thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis–differential thermal analysis), infrared spectroscopy (Fourier transform infrared), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and powder X-ray diffraction. X-ray analysis reveals the formation of a single-phasic CeVO4 with tetragonal structure and ZrTiO4 with orthorhombic structure. The morphological characteristics of these oxides were studied by field-emission scanning electron microscopy and a laser-based particle size analyzer. Different solid content and dispersants have been used to prepare various suspensions of these oxides in distilled water and ethanol. The rheological flow behaviour of the suspensions has been studied by measuring their viscosity against the increasing shear rate. The power-law model is applied to calculate consistency coefficient (k) and flow behaviour index (n). Minimum viscosities have been observed at pH = 10.6 for CeVO4–water–Darvan system and at pH = 10.5 for ZrTiO4–water–polyethylene imine system. Graphic abstract