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Zirconium oxide crystal phase: The role of the pH and time to attain the final pH for precipitation of the hydrous oxide

Journal Article · · J. Mat. Res.; (United States)

Precipitated hydrous zirconium oxide can be calcined to produce either a monoclinic or tetragonal product. It has been observed that the time taken to attain the final pH of the solution in contact with the precipitate plays a dominant role in determining the crystal structure of the zirconium oxide after calcination at 500 /sup 0/C. The dependence of crystal structure on the rate of precipitation is observed only in the pH range 7--11. Rapid precipitation in this pH range yields predominately monoclinic zirconia, whereas slow (8 h) precipitation produces the tetragonal phase. At pH of approximately 13.0, only the tetragonal phase is formed from both slowly and rapidly precipitated hydrous oxide. The present results, together with earlier results, show that both the pH of the supernatant liquid and the time taken to attain this pH play dominant roles in determining the crystal structure of zirconia that is formed after calcination of the hydrous oxide. The factors that determine the crystal phase are therefore imparted in a mechanism of precipitation that depends upon the pH, and it is inferred that it is the hydroxyl concentration that is the dominant factor.

Research Organization:
Kentucky Energy Cabinet Laboratory, University of Louisville, P.O. Box 13015, Lexington, Kentucky 40512 and the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506
OSTI ID:
7201781
Journal Information:
J. Mat. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Mat. Res.; (United States) Vol. 3:4; ISSN JMREE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English