Preparation of zirconia xerogels and ceramics by sol–gel method and the analysis of their thermal behavior

Abstract Highly stable, homogeneous zirconia xerogels and ceramics were prepared from PZOs obtained by chelation of ethyl acetoacetate (Hetac) or acetylacetone (Hacac) to zirconium. The structure of PZO was analyzed by 1 H NMR. The thermal behavior of zirconia xerogels and ceramics were also determined by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), Fourier transform–infrared (FT–IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD).