Work

Hydrothermal recycling of 3%-mol yttria stabilized zirconia and microsphere preparation via spray granulation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Backgrounds and aim Recycling of dental zirconia waste, primarily from 3%-mol yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (3Y-TSZ), presents challenges due to the material’s intrinsic mechanical and chemical stability. This study investigates a hydrothermal treatment combined with ball milling to facilitate the recycling of zirconia and optimize granulation via spray-drying for use in dental prosthetics. Materials and methods Zirconia waste from pre-sintered blanks was subjected to hydrothermal treatment at 275°C and 10.5 MPa, followed by wet ball milling. The milled powders were used to create slurries with varying solid content, dispersant, and binder levels, which were then spray-dried. Results Particle size analyses revealed that hydrothermal treatment significantly reduced milling time and particle size, yielding finer powders compared to untreated zirconia. The optimized slurry formulation, containing 70 wt% solid content and 0.3 wt% dispersant, was granulated into microspheres, achieving spherical morphology and uniform size distribution. Conclusion The study demonstrates the feasibility of recycling zirconia waste using a combined hydrothermal and spray-drying approach, providing a sustainable route for fabricating dental ceramics.

Source: Next Materials

DOI: 10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.102263

Authors: Azam Valian, Amir Ghasemi, Ehsan Rastbood, Maryam Rasti, Elham Zanguei

Institutions: Shahid Beheshti University, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Dental materials and restorations

Subfield: Orthodontics

Field: Dentistry

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,280