Characterisation of MgO–ZrO2 precursor powders prepared by in-situ peptisation of coprecipitated oxalate gel

Chemical precipitation–peptisation is adapted to produce fine powder of MgO–ZrO2 using metal salts of chloride, nitrate and oxalic acid in triple distilled water. Co-precipitated magnesium–zirconyl oxalate gel is oven dried and the powder is used to prepare sol and subsequently gel. Both the precipitated and the sol–gel powders are calcined at different temperatures for 1 h and are subjected to powder X-ray diffraction to ascertain the crystalline nature. TGA and DTA analysis is carried out to study the thermal decomposition and phase transition behaviour. Surface area of the powders, calcined at different temperatures, is also determined using BET technique. Effect of alcohol washing on the precipitated powder is also reported.