Study of bare and functionalized Zirconia Nanoparticles Filled Polymer Electrolytes Based on a Polyurethane

ABSTRACTIn this work, composite polymer electrolytes based on a thermoplastic polyurethane/LiClO4 amorphous system and on bare and functionalized zirconia nanoparticles as a filler are reported. The ceramic nanoparticles were synthesized via the sol-gel route using zirconium butoxide as the precursor for zirconium oxide nanoclusters and methacrylic acid as an organic modifier group. The salt concentration in the polymer phase was 17 wt% and fillers were added in the range between 2 and 10wt%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the average size and the homogeneity of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix, while impedance spectroscopy (IS) was used to evaluate the ionic conductivity of the composites. The addition of zirconia fillers results in an increase in ionic conductivity for all filled systems. The results also show that the functionalization of the zirconia nanoparticles promotes a significant increase in conductivity, suggesting that the interaction of the metracrylate-functionalized fillers with the polyurethane matrix was greatly improved. These results raise interest in the study of organically modified ceramic clusters as fillers for electrolyte polymers.

Effect of Conjoint Additions of Rare Earth Element Oxides on the Phase Stability of Zirconia

The ability of the cubic phase of zirconia to accommodate in solid solution the oxides of rare earth elements with differing cationic radii has been investigated. Mixed oxide phase assemblages were prepared by hydrolysing zirconium butoxide with solutions of rare earth element nitrates followed by drying, calcining and sintering. The resulting products were characterised by X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The cubic zirconia phase can accept into solid solution the larger, non-cubic stabilising, rare earth element ions such as lanthanum in the presence of the cubic stabilising oxides of yttrium and samarium. As the proportion of the larger rare earth element ions is increased the formation of pyrochlore type compounds is favoured.

Comparison Between the Sol-Gel Processes of Zirconia and those of Alumina

ABSTRACTZirconia gels have been synthesized from zirconium butoxide in excess water with HNO3. The structure and characteristics of the gels have been studied as a function of the acid content, and the transformation during heat treatment has been followed up to 1150°C.From the results of a previous similar study on aluminum hydroxide gels, a comparison is made between the sol-gel processes of zirconia and those of alumina. A discussion of the differences of the aqueous media chemistry of Al and Zr, and gelation mechanisms, is presented.