Rapid preparation of zirconia/zircon composites ceramics by microwave method: Experiment and first-principle investigation

Abstract Microwave, a novel clean and efficient sintering method, is firstly used to synthesize zirconia/zircon (ZrO2/ZrSiO4) composites ceramics, where the conventional synthesis method is used as a control group. Phase and microstructure of the samples are studied by XRD and SEM. The results show that microwave sintering can synthesize samples with higher density in a shorter time than that of conventional method. Besides, the mechanism of microwave sintering densification is analyzed by first principles calculations. Additionally, first principles calculations are performed to explain the solution of SiO2 in ZrO2 matrix to synthesize ZrSiO4 crystal. The present work opens a new window to synthesize ZrO2/ZrSiO4 ceramics which can be used for other ceramic waste forms.