Formation of nickel and zirconia nanocomposites by the coprecipitation method

The precursors for the Ni-YSZ cermets preparation were either a solution of nickel, zirconium and yttrium chlorides or separately prepared NiO and YSZ. When preparing Ni-YSZ cermets by utilising the gel-precipitation technique the average particle size of the Ni and YSZ grains after the thermal treatment up to 1000 degrees C is no larger than 50-100 nm, but is in the micrometer range after the prolonged thermal treatment at 1300 degrees C. The mechanical mixing of the cermet components results in a single phase region larger than several micrometer range. (C) 1999 Acta Metallurgica Inc.