Patent ID: 7595036

Claim:
A method for the synthesis of nanocrystalline ZrO 2 powder, pure and free of foreign oxides, in particle sizes of approximately 10 to approximately 30 nm in diameter, comprising the steps of: preparing equal parts of an alcohol solution wherein a first part is mixed with deionized water and a second part is mixed with a zirconium-alkoxide; under processing conditions using an R-value of 60, wherein the R-value comprises the ratio of molar concentration of water to zirconium-alkoxide; adding a polymeric steric stabilizer to the first part of an alcohol solution with deionized water, wherein the stabilizer is in a concentration of approximately 1.0 to approximately 2.0 g/L and stirring until homogenized and forming a solution one; dissolving the zirconium alkoxide in the second part of the alcohol solution and forming a solution two; mixing the solution one and the solution two together; stirring the mixture for approximately 4 hours; holding the stirred mixture under static conditions for approximately 24 hours to complete the hydrolysis and condensation reactions; drying at approximately 80 degrees C. to remove solvent and form resultant material; crushing the resultant material to obtain nanocrystalline ZrO 2 powder, pure and free of foreign oxides, with particle sizes of approximately 10 nm to approximately 30 nm in diameter that form loose agglomerates and exhibit tetragonal crystal structure at room temperature; and calcining at temperatures ranging from approximately 400° C. to approximately 800° C. wherein the nanocrystalline ZrO 2 powder, pure and free of foreign oxides, with particle sizes of approximately 10 nm to approximately 30 nm in diameter undergoes a gradual transformation from tetragonal to monoclinic phase with an increase in calcination temperature from approximately 400 to approximately 800 degrees C.