Effect of ZrO2 Nanofiller on the Physical Properties of Epoxy Composites: Mechanical, Thermal and Dielectric

In this present work, Zirconia nanoparticles were prepared by precipitation method, Zirconium Oxychloride (ZrOCl2.8H2O) and ammonia (NH3) as starting materials. The synthesized Zirconia nanoparticles were characterized by XRD and the grain size in nanoscale was confirmed. The sheets of neat epoxy resin and epoxy with addition of ZrO2 nanoparticles are primed by solution casting method. The structures of epoxy polymer and hardener were found out using FTIR analysis. The thermal properties were analyzed using Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). Thermo gravimetric analysis has been employed to investigate the thermal characteristics and their mode of thermal degradation. Differential thermal analysis has been used to determine the glass transition temperature of epoxy nanocomposites. The mechanical properties like tensile and flexural studies were analyzed and thus influences of nanofiller loading on these parameters were found to be very low. Keywords: Epoxy, ZrO2 nanoparticles, Nanocomposites, Thermal stability, Dielectric properties, Tensile strength, Flexural strength.

Identification of TENORM in Zirconium Oxychloride with Gamma Spectrometry

Gamma spectrometer used to determine the type and activity of gamma emitting radionuclides, such as the measurement of TENORM (Th-232, U-238, Ra-26 dan K-40) in the zirconium oxychloride or environmental radioactivity. This research was carried out to know each the TENORM on the zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl2.8H2O) which accommodation of environment data the radioactivity in draft job safety about the workers. Zirconium oxychloride is a result of chloride acid leaching process from sodium zirconate, containing uranium and thorium, so that it has the potential for contamination and increase the radiation exposure. The instrument used for counting by HPGe detector and the spectrum were analyzed further using software Genie 2000. Mean measured activity concentrations (radioactivity) of U-238, Th-232, Ra-226 and K-40 respectively were 13,43±0,876 Bq/kg, 12,040±1,483 Bq/kg, 11,400±0,582 Bq/kg dan 32,940±3,270 Bq/kg.

Insight of precursor concentration, particle size and band gap of zirconia nanoparticles synthesized by co-precipitation method

Zirconia (ZrO2), an inorganic material, is a very fascinating material due to its high mechanical strength and fracture toughness. The synthesis is carried out by using co-precipitation method using optimum content of zirconium oxychloride octahydrate (ZrOCl2.8H2O) with NaOH solution at calcination temperature of 700°C. The synthesized samples were characterized to ensure structural, functional, morphological and chemical composition by several techniques. The monoclinic structure has been confirmed from XRD, SAED and Raman spectra. The Zr-O stretching vibration and Zr-O2-Zr bending vibrations were confirmed through FTIR analysis. The well dispersed particles with spherical morphology were established through SEM and TEM analyses. EDX spectra confirmed the formation of pure zirconium oxide. The band gap was calculated with the help of UV-Vis spectra and particle size was determined form XRD data using Debye Scherrer’s equation. The variation of band gap and particle size compared with different concentrations of precursor solution was studied. BIBECHANA 18 (2021) 1-9

Semi-organic nonlinear optical material: (((4-sulfonatophenyl)ammonio)oxy)zirconium for dielectric and photonics applications

This article discusses the growth and characterization of (((4-sulfonatophenyl) ammonio)oxy) zirconium (SAOZ) single crystals. Sulphanilic acid incorporated zirconium oxychloride semi-organic single crystals have been synthesized by slow evaporation technique. From the X-ray studies, lattice parameters a = 7.31 Å, b = 7.51 Å, c = 13.92 Å, volume = 765 Å3 have been found and so the crystal has been identified as orthorhombic with non-centrosymmetric space group P212121. The powder XRD examination demonstrated the quality and high crystalline nature of the grown crystal. The presence of functional groups was confirmed by FT-IR technique. The chemical structure of the compound was established by 1H and 13C NMR spectra. The optical transmittance window and the low cutoff wavelength of SAOZ have been identified by UV-Vis-NIR studies. Photoluminescence studies showed a wide blue light emission. TG and DTA examinations were carried out to characterize the thermal behavior of the grown crystal. The mechanical strength of the grown crystal was analyzed by the Vickers microhardness test. The elemental analysis was done by EDAX. The dielectric response of the crystals was analyzed in the frequency range of 50 Hz to 5 MHz at various temperatures and the outcomes were discussed. The SHG efficiency was estimated in correlation with KDP by employing powder Kurtz method.

Synthesis and Characterization of Monodisperse Hydrous Colloidal Zirconia Nanoparticles

The suspension of hydrous colloidal zirconia particles (CZPs) was prepared from zirconium oxychloride solutions via thermal hydrolysis at acidic condition and at boiling point of 110 ºC for 72 h. Characterization of the obtained suspension and dried solid ZrO2 was performed by DLS, FESEM, FTIR, XRD and TGA measurements. Purification via dialysis membrane can maintain the monodispersion of the colloidal suspension when stabilized at pH6. The suspension contained almost sheet-like colloidal particles with amorphous structure with size ranges from 70 to 140 nm in wide and about 40-60 nm in thickness. The formula of hydrous CZPs can be expressed as ZrO2.2H2O.