Structure of Alumina and Zirconia Nanoparticles Synthesized by the Karlsruhe Microwave Plasma Process

Applying the Karlsruhe Microwave Plasma Process, alumina and zirconia particles with particle sizes in the range from 2 to 5 nm were synthesized. Additionally, the influence of small amounts of iron(III)-oxide, chromia, and magnesia on the crystallization and phase transitions in alumina powders was investigated. It is shown that these dopants may influence the crystallization behavior significantly. Especially, the addition of 1 mol% iron(III)-oxide reduced the temperature of the formation of a-alumina from 1200 °C to 300 °C.