Reactions of Metal Salts and Alkali Metal Nitrates. Role of the Metal Precursors and Alkali Metal Ions in the Resulting Phase of Zirconia

Zirconia powders are prepared by reaction of a zirconium precursor with an alkali metal nitrate. The major part of the reactions takes place before the melting points and then the reactions go slowly to completion at 450°C in the molten salts. The roles of the precursor and the alkali metal ion are discussed considering the reaction between two precursors, octahydrated zirconium oxychloride and zirconium tetrachloride, and two nitrates, LiNO₃ and NaNO₃, and some resulting physico-chemical differences. The obtained zirconia powders contain very small amounts of alkali metal ions which act as stabilizing agent. Their effect on the balance tetragonal-monoclinic ZrO₂ depends upon the homogeneity of their distribution which is related to their ability to diffuse inside the bulk of particles and their polarizing power when located mainly on the surface.