The Role of Post‐Sintering Heat Treatment on the Phase and Microstructural Development of Nano Cu‐Zno Modified Ceramic Surfaces

Abstract The study examines the effect of heat treatment duration on microstructure and phase evolution concerning Cu content in nano ZnO‐Cu‐modified ceramic glazes. The thermal behavior of the nano Cu‐ZnO added glazes is investigated using heat microscopy and TG/DTA techniques to ascertain the appropriate firing and heat treatment temperature. Glazed tiles are sintered at 1210 °C for 10 min and heat treated at 965 °C for 2, 8, and 32 h. The surfaces are investigated with scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray diffractometer. The evolution of phase and microstructure exhibits variations between sintered and heat‐treated surfaces, dependent upon the concentration of Cu doping and heat treatment duration. The most important evidence is adding Cu into the ZnO‐modified glaze leads to a stacked micro‐nanostructure formation. The results show that while the willemite phase is dominant on the sintered surfaces, the size and quantity of fine plagioclase crystals increased with heat treatment and prolonged heat treatment time. The heat treatment period, depending on copper content, affects microstructure and phase development.