Preparation and Thermal Evolution of Sol–Gel Derived Zirconia and Ceria–Zirconia Precursors

Precursor powders of pure and 10 mol% ceria doped zirconia have been prepared by physical gelation of zirconium(IV) dichloride oxide, cerium nitrate, and oxalic acid using triple distilled water as solvent at room temperature (ca. 27 °C). Both the zirconium(IV) and doped zirconium(IV) oxalate oxide gels are transparent and are dried at 40 °C. The thermal evolution and crystallization behaviors of the amorphous gels have been investigated by TGA, DTA, and X-ray diffraction analysis. On calcination at 850 °C, zirconia precursor transformed to a monoclinic phase whereas only tetragonal phase has been observed for doped zirconia precursor. Estimation of the surface area and IR characterization have also been carried out for the prepared dried powders.