Aqueous Degradation and Chemical Passivation of Yttria‐Tetragonally‐Stabilized Zirconia at 25°C

The objective of this study was to establish the mechanism(s) controlling degradation of yttria‐tetragonally‐stabilized zirconia (Y‐TZP) powder in aqueous suspensions and determine the significance of this degradation to the aqueous physical chemistry of Y‐TZP. Experiments were performed on commercially available Y‐TZP powder placed in aqueous suspensions at 25°C. Experimental investigations included analysis of the aqueous chemistry of Y‐TZP in water via ICP‐MS, determination of the surface and bulk structure of the powder via XRD and solid‐state NMR, and observation of changes in surface charges via zeta potential determinations. The goal of this study was to control the surface chemistry of Y‐TZP in aqueous suspension to promote dispersion and permit aqueous processing of Y‐TZP powders.