Coordinative Crystallization of ZrSiO₄ and α-Fe₂O₃ Composites and Their Resultant Structural, Morphological, and Mechanical Characteristics

Abstract

The present study investigates the formation of zircon (ZrSiO4) and hematite (α-Fe2O3) biphasic composites targeted for biomedical applications. The main aim of this study is to understand the role of α-Fe2O3 in controlling the ZrSiO4 crystallization followed by their mechanical evaluation. The results from the investigation confirmed the essential role of both the heat treatment conditions and α-Fe2O3 content in the elimination of t-ZrO2, c-SiO2, and m-ZrO2 phases to yield composite mixtures of ZrSiO4 and α-Fe2O3. The occupancy of Fe3+ at the Zr4+ sites of ZrSiO4 lattice has stimulated the interfacial reaction between amorphous SiO2 and t-ZrO2 to yield crystallized ZrSiO4. α-Fe2O3 content in the concentration range of 50–100 wt % was sufficient enough to achieve the formation of biocompatible ZrSiO4/α-Fe2O3 composite at 1300 °C with the yield of better mechanical properties.