Zirconium dioxide coating on particles of titanium dioxide pigments, as a refractory material, in insulation, abrasives and enamels. Stabilized zirconia is used in oxygen sensors and fuel cell membranes because it has the ability to allow oxygen ions to move freely through the crystal structure at high temperatures. This high ionic conductivity (and a low electronic conductivity) makes it one of the most useful electroceramics. Zirconium dioxide is also used as the solid electrolyte in electrochromic devices. Zirconia is a precursor to the electroceramic lead zirconate titanate ("PZT"), which is a high-K dielectric, which is found in myriad components. The very low
Zirconium(IV) bromide Zirconium(IV) bromide Zirconium(IV) bromide is the inorganic compound with the formula ZrBr. This colourless solid is the principal precursor to other Zr–Br compounds. ZrBr is prepared by the action of bromine on zirconium oxide via a carbothermic reaction: Like many related tetrahalides, it is purified by sublimation. Like related tetrabromides of Ti and Hf, ZrBr hydrolyzes readily to give oxy-bromide, with release of hydrogen bromide. No single crystal X-ray study of ZrBr has been described. Some reports suggest that it is isostructural with TiCl and TiBr, featuring tetrahedral metal centers. Other studies indicate a polymeric structure. ZrCl is polymeric in