Spray freeze-drying of zirconia nanopowder

Industrial exploitation of ceramic nanopowders is inhibited by their poor flowability and strong tendency to agglomerate. To achieve good flowability and die-filling characteristics, controlled agglomeration is required whilst the strength of the agglomerates is minimised so that they crush into primary particles when die pressed. Yttria stabilised zirconia nanopowders with a primary particle size of ~16 nm were obtained through different drying routes from an aqueous suspension and characterised in terms of flowability and agglomerate strength. [Continues.]