LAUSR

Abstract Zirconia ceramics have attained much consideration owing to the amazing mechanical strength and white color. These properties provide an opportunity for the use in biomedical applications. In the present study, an application oriented sol-gel route was adapted for synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles. ZrOCl2.8H2O was used as a precursor, iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (pH 2 & pH 9) as a stabilizer and de-ionized water was used as a solvent. Sol-gel synthesized iron oxide stabilized zirconia nanoparticles were prepared by varying concentrations of iron oxide nanoparticles in the range of 2-10 wt%. X-ray diffraction results showed mixed phases at all wt% with acidic pH value, while pure tetragonal phase of zirconia was observed for stabilization with 6 wt% basic iron oxide. Maximum value of dielectric constant (∼ 80 at log f = 4) and minimum value of tangent loss (∼ 0.66 at log f =4) were observed for zirconia stabilized with basic 6 wt% iron oxide. Maximum value of hardness (1410±10 HV) along with high fracture toughness (26.97±10 MPam-1/2) were observed with optimized stabilization. Very weak hemolytic activity and maximum scavenging (∼76) antioxidant activity was observed under optimized conditions. Thus, it can be suggested that optimized nanoparticles, i.e. tetragonal zirconia stabilized with 6wt% of basic Fe3O4, can be further useful for therapeutical and pharmaceutical applications.