Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Thermophysical Properties of ZrTiO4 Nanoceramics

Inconsistencies between ZrO2–TiO2 phase diagrams with regard to structure and phase field of the zirconium titanate existence especially in a low-temperature range motivate a detailed study of its formation. Here, nanocrystals of ZrTiO4 with scrutinyite (α-PbO2) structure were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation followed by calcination in air. The phase formation was examined in the temperature range of 25–1100°C using simultaneous thermal analysis, high-temperature diffraction, and microscopy. The crystallization of ZrTiO4 was established to occur above 700°C after complete water removal. Then nanoceramics based on ZrTiO4 were obtained via sintering of nanopowder at 1200°C for 5 h and were analyzed for thermophysical performance using laser flash analysis and thermomechanical analysis. Resulting ceramics show advanced thermal insulating properties (α = 0.138–0.187 mm2/s, λ = 5.446–11.512 W/(m K)) and low thermal expansion coefficient (CTE = (3.45–7.38) × 10–6 K–1) in the temperature range of 25–800°C which makes it promising as material for thermal barrier coatings.