Dispersion characteristic of nano-sized ceramic powder in an aqueous medium

• Published in: Journal of materials science letters Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 207 - 210
• Main Author: Liu, Dean-Mo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Kluwer Academic Publishers 01.02.1998
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Building materials. Ceramics. Glasses; Ceramic industries; Chemical industry and chemicals; Exact sciences and technology; General studies; Technical ceramics; Ceramic materials; Ultrafine powder; Aqueous dispersion
• ISSN: 0261-8028; 1573-4811
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1006580110859

In colloidal processing, ceramic powder has to be dispersed efficiently and a final suspension with a relatively low viscosity and relatively high solids loading is most desirable in most practical examples. The dispersion of fine ceramic powders in either an aqueous or a non-aqueous medium has received great attention and is an important subject. Studies have shown that the measurement of the variation in particles in colloidal suspensions may provide better understanding of the dispersion characteristic as well as the suspension stability. In this investigation, zirconia ceramic powder with an average particle size of approximately 90 nm was employed. A water-soluble polyelectrolyte dispersant having an average molecular weight of 5000 was used. The dispersant was in 20% aqueous form at pH 6.5. The investigation suggests the need to realise the dispersion characteristic of the nano-sized powder in the suspensions before the so-called "stable" suspension can be clearly and quantitatively defined. 9 refs.