Acryloyl derivative of glycerol in fabrication of zirconia ceramics by polymerization in situ

The aim of the work was to study a use of an acryloyl derivative of glycerol (glycerol monoacrylate), as a low-toxic, water soluble monomer in shaping of ZrO2 by using the in situ polymerization. The derivative was synthesized by the authors in a one-step synthesis. The work presents an interdisciplinary research in polymer chemistry and ceramic technology showing, how the properties of the system monomer/polymer influence the properties of zirconia green bodies. The wetting angle, glass transition temperature and polymeric shrinkage of the synthesized compound were measured at first. Then the zeta potential and rheological properties were measured to characterize the zirconia slurries. Ceramic green bodies were obtained by gelcasting through in situ polymerization of glycerol monoacrylate. The density, porosity and tensile and bending strengths were then measured, and thermal analysis and microstructure observations were performed for zirconia samples. The results have confirmed that glycerol monoacrylate provides a good homogeneity and high mechanical strength of ZrO2 samples both before and after sintering (749 MPa). The density of the sintered samples was around 99% of TD. The polymer is characterized by a very low glass transition temperature (−61 °C). It means that it is elastic at room temperatures, what positively affects the tensile strength of green bodies. The research has shown that the acryloyl derivative of glycerol is a good alternative for commercially available acrylic monomers used in shaping of zirconia by gelcasting.