Synthesis and characterization of submicrospherical silica particles uniformly coated with nanocrystalline yttria stabilized zirconia

Submicrospherical silica particles with narrow size dispersion (∼230 nm) were uniformly coated with yttria stabilized zirconia nanocrystals (∼10 nm) by an ultrasound aided deposition of hydrous precursors of zirconia, followed by calcination. The zirconia–silica composite microspheres were characterized for phase content, morphology and interface by XRD, TEM, BET nitrogen adsorption and thermal methods. The ceramic composite microspheres hold potential as precursors in the colloid chemical construction of composite ceramic membranes and ceramic nanocomposites.