Relationship among the composition, synthesis conditions, and surface acid-basic properties of xerogel particles based on zirconium dioxide

ZrO2-Y2O3-CeO2, ZrO2-Y2O3 and ZrO2-CeO2 xerogels were prepared by coprecipitation of the corresponding hydroxides followed by the precipitate processing using different procedures involving maturation in the mother liquor within 24 h, freezing and ultrasonic treatment. The surface acid-base properties of the prepared xerogel particles were studied by measuring pH changes upon their suspension in water. The obtained results allow the analysis of relationships among the xerogel synthesis conditions, behavior of xerogel particles in the aqueous medium and their agglomeration, thus providing the adjustment and prediction of the properties of ceramic materials prepared from the studied powders.