Thermoanalytical study of the YSZ precursors prepared by aqueous sol-gel synthesis route

The Y-Zr-O precursors derived from an aqueous sol-gel synthesis have been applied for the preparation of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) powders and thin films on the corundum (Al2O3) substrate, using dip-coating technique. In this aqueous sol-gel synthesis route, citric acid as a complexing agent has been used for the preparation of stable Y-Zr-O nitrate-citrate sols and gels. Thermal decomposition of dried gels was studied by simultaneous TG/DTA/EGA-FTIR measurements in the dynamic 80%Ar + 20%O-2 atmosphere. FTIR and X-ray diffraction analyses were used for the determination of phase purity of the end products obtained at 700, 800 and 900 A degrees C. The morphological features of the prepared YSZ coatings and powders were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy.