Preparation and characterization of a novel zirconia precursor

A novel zirconium oxy-hydroxy-acetate was synthesized from zirconium oxychloride and acetic acid solution by a simple metalorganic precipitation process. On the basis of differential thermal, thermogravimetric, and elemental analyses of the precipitation complex, it could be described as Zr4O3(OH)7(CH3COO)3·5H2O, which was further confirmed by its infrared spectra and X-ray diffraction measurements. A tentative assignment was made for each band in the infrared spectrum of the zirconium-oxy-hydroxy-acetate, and the assignments discordant with those in the literature proposed for some bands. The structure development in the precipitating complex and its pyrolysis products was investigated as a function of the heat processing temperatures, showing that the zirconium oxy-hydroxy-acetate could yield a zirconia comparable to that formed from zirconium acetate solution by the other processes in the literature. The present process offers distinct advantages in terms of time- and energy-saving and environmental friendliness.