Synthesis and processing of nanoscaled ceramics by chemical routes

Abstract
Nanocrystalline boehmite and TiN powders have been used as model systems for testing the conception of small-molecule surface modification for the preparation of processable nanoscaled slips and pastes with a high solid content. It was found that after surface modification of boehmite with carboxylic acids like acetic or propionic acid and the addition of 5 to 6 vol.-% of organic processing additives pastes with a solid content of about 45 vol.-% can be prepared. The nanocrystalline pastes have been extruded to tubes which after drying exhibit green densities of about 55 to 60 % of the theory. In the case of TiN it was shown that deagglomeration with short-chained organic bases gives low viscous slips with a solid content of 40 wt.-%. Green bodies with a green density of about 50 % of the theory have been prepared by vacuum-assisted pressure filtration. The nanocrystalline material exhibits a very high sintering activity so that a density above 96 % of the theory could be achieved at 1150 °C leading to a microstructure consisting of an average grain size of about 50 nm. This clearly demonstrates the potential of nanosized starting material for separating the densification regime from the grain growth regime in the sintering step.