Microwave and conventional hydrothermal synthesis of zirconia doped powders

Hydrothermal synthesis of powders is a very attractive process to directly prepare submicrometer- and nanometer-sized crystalline powders because of reduced contamination and low synthesis temperature. The application of microwave radiation during the process enhances the reaction kinetics by 1-2 orders of magnitude. Nanosized Pr-doped zirconium oxide powders were prepared by adding NaOH to a zirconyl chloride aqueous solution under microwave- hydrothermal conditions. The properties of the powders produced are compared with those of powders obtained by conventional hydrothermal synthesis. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.