Structural and Microstructural Characterization of NiO-8YSZ Nanopowders With Varying Weight Percentage of NiO

Abstract

Synthesis of NiO-8YSZ nanopowders with varying wt% of NiO, using the salts of NiCl2.6H2O, ZrOCl2.8H2O, and Y2O3 powder. NaOH was used for gelation and precipitation with the increase in pH. Thermal analysis (DTA, DSC) of the precursors was done, and the results were analyzed in comparative manner. Calcinations of the precursors were done at 800˚C for 1hr and XRD data was analyzed comparatively. Pellets were made by uniaxial pressing and sintered at 1200˚C for 2hr. XRD, SEM micrographs, density and porosity of the pellets were also analyzed in comparative manner. The c- ZrO2 crystallite size was found greater in pure 8YSZ than in NiO-8YSZ. The bulk density jumps from 3.51 to 3.96 for the addition of NiO. The porosity gradually increases with wt% of NiO from 20 to 40 wt%. Analyzing the microstructure it reveals that, NiO addition causes the grains to be very uniform and small with the nice connectivity between pores.