Investigation of the dehydration of Y-TZP gels by controlled transformation Rate Thermal Analysis

An investigation of the thermolysis of 3% yttria doped zirconia samples has been undertaken using the method of Controlled transformation Rate Thermal Analysis (CRTA) under a residual pressure of 4.5 x 10 4 mbar. Investigation of the water washed samples reveals a simple water loss. Thermolysis of the ethanol washed samples however, reveal a series of mechanisms without ethanol production. Several ethene related species are evolved during the course of the reaction indicating the catalytic nature of zirconia. As at relatively high temperatures these ethene related species are still evolved, this would suggest the formation of surface ethanolic groups during the ethanol washing.