Microstructure and electrical properties of zirconia and composite nanostructured ceramics sintered by different methods

The aim of this study is the preparation and characterization of dense cubic zirconia ceramics and zirconia nanocomposites (reinforced with 5 wt% alumina). The powders were obtained through sol–gel methods and densified using classical sintering and spark plasma sintering (SPS) methods. The obtained ceramics were characterized through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and impedance spectroscopy at room and high temperature. The average grain size of cubic zirconia particles was found to be approximately 8 and 2.5 μm for the classical sintering and 99 nm for SPS. The alumina particles in composites have an average grain size of 0.7 μm for classical sintering and 53 nm for SPS ones. The total conductivity for nanocomposites sintered through both methods was also determined.