HOMOGENEOUS NUCLEATION OF PURE PHASE OXIDES - FORMATION OF ROD-LIKE PARTICLES

Pure monoclinic ZrO2 powders are obtained following a hydrothermal precipitation route. The reaction involves a slow hydrolysis step of zirconium (IV) occurring at 100-degrees-C from chloride-containing solutions. Examination by scanning electron microscopy reveals the dried products to be composed of prism-shaped particles with sharp edges and right angles. The rods appear to be the result of a sintering process taking place during the final drying step. The effects induced, on the morphology, by modifications in the experimental conditions are discussed.