Surface Characterization of Ultrafine ZrO2-SiO2 Powders by Electrophoretic Mobility Measurements

Electrophoretic mobilities of ultrafine ZrO2‐SiO2 powders prepared by a modified spray pyrolysis technique with an ultra‐high‐temperature plasma were measured to characterize their surfaces. The surfaces of as‐prepared ZrO2 particles are apparently composed of zirconium hydroxides, which when heated result in a surface which is hydrophobic or slow to hydrate. The surfaces of as‐prepared and heated ZrO2‐SiO2 particles appeared to consist predominantly of SiO2.