Dispersion Stabilization of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Slurry for Spray Coating by PVB Polymeric Adsorption

In this study, the dispersion stabilization characteristics of the poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) adsorbed yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was investigated. The addition of PVB showed remarkable dispersion effect to the YSZ slurry prepared with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and toluene as a bi-solvent system, PVB as a dispersant medium and YSZ powders. The agglomerated YSZ particle size decreased with PVB addition until 3 wt% and PVB added more than 3 wt% acted as a binder. The smallest particle size was obtained at 3 wt% PVB and the more PVB addition causes reflocculation of YSZ particles. The relative amount of adsorbed PVB onto the YSZ surface increased with increasing PVB contents. It turns out that the YSZ slurry dispersion stabilization was improved by the interaction between the hydroxyl group of YSZ surface and O–H group in PVB which is newly formed Zr–O–C bonding.