A Novel Process for Production of High Purity Zirconium Oxy Chloride from Zircon Sand for Bio-Inert Ceramics

High purity zirconium oxy chloride synthesis method has been developed from zircon sand of Chatrapur beach placer deposit of IREL Odisha. Chemical method of purification is found to be suitable means of producing high purity zirconium oxy chloride with very low radioactivity. Complexing agent such as pentetic acid or diethylene triamine penta acetic acid is found to be a good chelating agent for thorium removal from the bulk solution. The process has a potential for scaling up to a technology for production of bio-inert ceramics such as dental orthopaedic implants, coatings on other metallic implants, porous bone scaffolds and bone cements.