Preparation of high concentration ceramic inks for forming by jet-printing

Reverse microemulsions (RMs) were applied to preparing ceramic inks for jet-printing forming. First of all, different RM systems were chosen and optimized in order to obtain high concentration ceramic inks. Triton X-100/co-emulsifier/oil/water RM system was systematically investigated. Different kinds and different amounts of co-emulsifier and oil phase were selected and mixed to form RM after intensively stirring. RM region in the quasi-ternary phase diagram of the system was determined. It was shown that Triton X-100/n-hexanol/cyclohexane/water RM system exhibited an excellent behavior in enhancing water-dissolving amount. The best composition for the maximum water content was given. Zirconium oxychloride solution and ammonia solution were then added to the above system respectively. After stirring intensively, two clear RMs were obtained. Then ZrO2 ceramic inks were readily prepared by reaction after mixing the two RMs uniformly. The physicochemical properties of ZrO2 ceramic inks, such as viscosity, surface tension, conductivity, stability etc. were determined. The particle size and morphology of ZrO2 nanoparticles in the RM were observed by TEM.