| Supercritical fluids exhibit a large range of unusual properties that can be exploited for preparing new materials, which are qualitatively different from those derived from classical methods. We have already shown in previous works the interest of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) for the synthesis of ceramic materials, in particular nanophased conductive ceramics. This work reports specifically the strategy for limiting the aggregation and improving both the handling and sinterability of SC-CO2 derived Yttria Stabilised Zirconia (YSZ) powders. A two steps synthesis method has been developed, leading to an encapsulation of the YSZ grains with a polymer in SC-CO2. The selected encapsulation method is based on the dispersion-polymerisation of MMA in SC-CO2. Surfactants were used as coupling agents between the ceramic oxide surface and the polymer. The choice of the surfactant revealed to be a decisive parameter. |
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