Affiliation: | Dpt. Engenharia Cerâmica e do Vidro, Universidade de Aveiro, Portugal Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales (CSIC), Madrid, Spain Instituto de Cerámica y Vidrio (CSIC), Arganda del Rey, Madrid, Spain |
Abstract: | Gels with composition xZrO2−(100−x)SiO2, X = 10−55, were prepared in different conditions using zirconium acetylacetonate and TEOS as precursors. Gels treated at different temperatures up to 1100°C were characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and TEM. Preparation conditions determined the subsequent development of crystalline phases following thermal treatment. Monoclinic zirconia segregation dispersed in a silica matrix occurred when the gels were prepared in a strong hydrocloric acid medium. Preparation with a lower acid content favours instead the formation of very small crystals of tetragonal zirconia. |