Fabrication of yttria stabilized zirconia nanopowder via sol- gel rout

Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has been under consideration due to its desiredproperties for preparing dental restorations. The aim of this research was to produce the YSZnanopowder via sol-gel rout. The present research was an experimental study and in vitro evaluation.Appropriate amount of zirconium oxide chloride, ZrOC12.8H2O, and yttrium nitrate,Y(NO3)3.6H2O, to reach 3mol% yttrium oxide in final product, were mixed in anhydrous ethanol ona magnetic stirrer. After drying the obtained gel at 50ºC, it was calcined at 600ºC for 1, 2 and 3hours. Phase identification, particle size and distribution determination, functional groupidentification and microstructural investigation were performed using XRD, SEM, TEM and FTIRtechniques. Results revealed that the tetragonal zirconia phase nanopowder has been obtained.Crystallite size of the powder was about 20 nm and the size of particles was about 80 nm. Theoptimum temperature and time for calcimine process was 600ºC and 3 hours, respectively. The obtained Yttria stabilized zirconia with special characteristics duo to nano scalestructure, could be a desired biomaterials for preparing dental restorations such as inlay, on lay, postand core, crown, and bridges in dentistry