Zirconium dioxide

Zirconium dioxide or zirconia is a white crystalline oxide of zirconium. Its most naturally occurring form, with a monoclinic crystalline structure, is the mineral baddeleyite. A dopant stabilized cubic structured zirconia, cubic zirconia, is synthesized in various colours for use as a gemstone and a diamond simulant.

Properties

Zirconium dioxide adopts a monoclinic crystal structure at room temperature and transitions to tetragonal and cubic at higher temperatures. The change of volume caused by the structure transitions from tetragonal to monoclinic to cubic induces large stresses, causing it to crack upon cooling from high temperatures.

Applications

Zirconium dioxide is used in a wide range of applications, due to its physical and chemical properties.

Ceramics

In the ceramic industry, zirconium dioxide is used in high-strength ceramics, known as ceramic steel. The high heat capacity and heat insulating properties also make it useful in furnace linings.

Medical applications

Zirconium dioxide is used in some dental crowns because of its hardness, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility.

Fuel cells

Zirconium dioxide is used as the solid electrolyte in electrochemical devices and sensors, and in fuel cells.

See also

• Zirconium
• Zircon
• Cubic zirconia

References

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External links

• Zirconium.net

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