LAUSR

Herein, we present manifold possibilities of using saccharides and their derivatives in colloidal processing of ceramics. Sugar-based compounds are attractive alternatives for commonly used organic additives, because they are renewable materials, are non-toxic to human skin, and have a positive influence on the rheological behavior and stability of ceramic suspensions which is reflected in the properties of green and sintered bodies. The examined substances include sugar acids (galacturonic and lactobionic acid) as highly effective deflocculants for nanopowders; acryloyl derivatives of monosaccharides and sugar alcohols as organic monomers in gelcasting; polysaccharides as binders; and l-ascorbic acid as an activator of radical polymerization in gelcasting. The multifunctionality of the selected compounds as well as their thermal decomposition during sintering of ceramics is discussed. The study also reviews the related literature focusing on sugar-based compounds in ceramic processing.