CaZrTi ₂ O ₇ zirconolite synthesis: From ceramic to glass‐ceramic

Abstract

Abstract The formation of CaZrTi 2 O 7 zirconolite and its crystallization in sodium alumino‐borosilicate glass has been investigated via sintering in air. The ceramic precursor is prepared using a soft chemistry route to ensure ultimate mixing of the reactants at the molecular level. A nearly phase pure CaZrTi 2 O 7 zirconolite is formed after sintering the ceramic precursor at 1400°C for 12 hours. In order to form zirconolite glass‐ceramics, various processing conditions are investigated including sintering temperatures, different glass composition precursors, and ceramic to glass weight ratios. Zirconolite crystallization on the surface and inside of glass‐ceramic‐pelletized samples is investigated. Higher ceramic to glass weight ratio leads to the formation of zirconolite as crystalline phase, which is quite dominant in glass.