Synthesis and Characterization of Alumina-Zirconia Powders Obtained by Sol-Gel Method: Effect of Solvent and Water Addition Rate

Julio Del Angel, Alberto F. Aguilera, Ignacio R. Galindo, Merced Martínez, Tomas Viveros

Department of Chemical Engineering, Metropolitan Autonomous University, Mexico city, Mexico.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Department of Chemistry, University of Guanajuato, Guanajuato, Mexico.

DOI: 10.4236/msa.2012.39095                

Abstract

The influence of solvent and the rate of addition of water on the characteristics of alumina-zirconia powders obtained by sol-gel method were investigated. The Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ powders (1:1 molar ratio) were prepared using aluminum tri-sec-butoxide and zirconium n-propoxide as precursors. Ethanol (EtOH), isopropanol (iPrOH) and isobutanol (iBuOH) were used as solvents. The Al₂O₃-ZrO₂ powders were characterized by nitrogen physisorption (S_BET), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Prepared oxides calcined at 700℃ showed high specific surface area (200 - 240 m2/g). Obtained results suggest that the homogeneity of the mixed oxides is favored by using a water addition rate of 0.06 and 0.10 mL/min with ethanol as solvent.

Keywords

Alumina-Zirconia; Mixed Oxides; Sol Gel Method; Effect of Solvent; Water Addition Rate

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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