Synthesis of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Aerogels by a Non-Alkoxide Sol-Gel Route

Journal Article · Fri Feb 11 04:00:00 EST 2005 · Chemistry of Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cm0503679· OSTI ID:950082

Chervin, C N; Clapsaddle, B J; Chiu, H W; Gash, A E; Kauzlarich, S M

Homogeneous, nanocrystalline powders of yttria-stabilized zirconia were prepared using a nonalkoxide sol-gel method. Monolithic gels, free of precipitation, were prepared by addition of propylene oxide to aqueous solutions of Zr{sup 4+} and Y{sup 3+} chlorides at room temperature. The gels were dried with supercritical CO{sub 2}(l), resulting in amorphous aerogels that crystallized into cubic stabilized ZrO{sub 2} following calcination at 500 C. The aerogels and resulting crystalline products were characterized using in-situ temperature profile X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption analysis. TEM and N{sub 2} adsorption/desorption analysis of an aerogel indicated a porous network structure with a high surface area (409 m{sup 2}/g). The crystallized yttria-stabilized zirconia maintained high surface area (159 m{sup 2}/g) upon formation of homogeneous, nanoparticles ({approx}10 nm). Ionic conductivity at 1000 C of sintered YSZ (1500 C, 3 hours) prepared by this method, was 0.13 {+-} 0.02 {Omega}{sup -1} cm{sup -1}. Activation energies for the conduction processes from 1000-550 C and 550-400 C, were 0.95 {+-} 0.09 and 1.12 {+-} 0.05 eV, respectively. This is the first reported synthesis and characterization of yttria-stabilized zirconia via an aerogel precursor.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 950082
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-209759
• Journal Information: Chemistry of Materials, Journal Name: Chemistry of Materials Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 17; ISSN CMATEX; ISSN 0897-4756
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CALCINATION
CHLORIDES
IONIC CONDUCTIVITY
NITROGEN
OXIDES
PRECIPITATION
PRECURSOR
PROPYLENE
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SURFACE AREA
SYNTHESIS
THERMAL ANALYSIS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
X-RAY DIFFRACTION