Combustion synthesis of nanocrystalline ZrO2 powder: XRD, Raman spectroscopy and TEM studies

ZrO2 powder was prepared by the gel combustion technique using citric acid as a fuel and nitrate as an oxidant. Calcination at 600 °C of the dried powder, obtained after sluggish combustion of the citrate–nitrate gel, produced nanocrystalline ZrO2 powder. The Rietveld refinement of the powder XRD data clearly suggested the presence of predominantly tetragonal phase of zirconia. TEM studies showed the agglomerated powder composed of nearly spherical nanocrystals of about 10 nm. The absence of cubic phase of zirconia was conclusively inferred by Raman spectroscopy.