Synthesis of nanoparticulate zirconia by mechanochemical processing

[Truncated] This thesis presents the results of an investigation into the synthesis of ultrafine zirconia powders by mechanochemical processing. The purpose of this investigation was to identify different reaction mechanisms and to establish the effects of process variables on the properties of the final zirconia powders, specifically the average particle size and phase content. All of the reaction systems that were investigated in this study involved reaction of anhydrous chloride precursors with an exchange reagent. However, despite this fundamental similarity, the systems were found to exhibit significantly different reaction kinetics. Depending on the exchange reagent used and the presence of inert diluent, chemical reaction of the precursors either occurred gradually during milling, by mechanically activated combustion, or only during post-milling heat-treatment.