Preparation of monolithic zirconia gels from alkoxides has been described for a series of compositions in the system zirconium propoxide-2-propanol-acetylacetone-water. When large volumes of the sols were cast in glass containers, an unusual crack pattern was observed in all cases; in each sample, the crack divided the gel into a top part with a central root-like protrusion and a bottom part surrounding the protrusion. The bottom part characteristically contained more volatiles than the top. The relatively high viscosity of the alcohol and the adhesion of the gel to the glass container wall were suggested to be the major factors guiding the crack pattern
