Sol–gel preparation of ZrC–ZrO2 composite microspheres using fructose as a carbon source

ZrC–ZrO 2 composite ceramic microspheres were prepared by internal gelation combined with carbothermic reduction using fructose as a chelating agent and carbon source. Fructose in the precursor solution formed complex with zirconium ions, which was conducive to the refining of the microstructure of the sintered composite. ZrC–ZrO 2 composite with ZrC content as high as 60 wt% could be prepared. In this paper, fructose was used as a chelating agent and an organic carbon source to prepare ZrCO microspheres by internal gelation and carbothermic reduction. The fructose in the precursor solution could form complex with zirconium ions, which was conducive to the refining of the microstructure of the sintered composite. ZrC–ZrO 2 composite with crystal size of ZrO 2 and ZrC in nanometer range and ZrC content as high as 60 wt% could be successfully prepared.