Aqueous tape casting of lithium metazirconate (Li2ZrO3) thin sheets

Abstract

Tape cast Li2ZrO3 thin sheets were successfully made from aqueous suspensions with 30 vol% solid loading, using 0.5 wt% of ammonium polyacrylate and 0.2 wt% of tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide as organic stabilizers. The addition of 15 wt% of acrylic binder emulsion into the slip enabled to cast green tapes with suitable strength and plasticity for their easy folding. Zeta potential and rheological flow curves were analyzed to optimize the slip stability and composition, and the thermal behavior, phase composition and microstructure of the tapes were evaluated. After sintering at 1200 °C/15 h, tapes reached bulk densities close to 81% vs TD and exhibited a smooth flawless surface. SEM images showed an average particle size of 6.2 µm, and the XRD phase analysis revealed monoclinic Li2ZrO3 and only 6% of ZrO2. Overall, this detailed work will be relevant for further research on the manufacture of solid-state electrolytes based on Li2ZrO3 tapes.