Construction of uniform ZrO₂ nanoshells by buffer solutions

Abstract

We identified that the growth kinetics of ZrO2 could be well-tuned in a CH3COOH-CH3COONa based buffer solution, which provided an efficient way to build uniform ZrO2 nanoshells on various substrates. Using this synthetic strategy, yolk-shell structured Pd@ZrO2 is demonstrated as a promising catalyst for methane oxidation.

Amorphous calcium organophosphate nanoshells as potential carriers for drug delivery to Ca2+-enriched surfaces

“…2c-d) show the homogeneous distribution of Ca and P on the nanoshells. 21 The presence of N which could only be attributed to the presence of LX is also distributed uniformly in the nanospheres (Fig. 2e), thus confirming LX inclusion in CaPLiLX nanostructure.…”

Precise surface control of cathode materials for stable lithium-ion batteries

“…This design for thickness-tunable heterogeneous coating layers relies on the growth kinetics of solution-based chemical reactions. 60,61 Briefly, the precipitation process of the coating species is regulated while their speed of dispersion onto the cathode particle surface is facilitated by using different conditions, such as suitable buffer solutions, 60,62,63 releasing the precipitant slowly, [64][65][66] and introducing a catalyst. [67][68][69] Several coating materials have been successfully modified onto the cathode materials for LIBs, which include metal oxides, metal phosphates, and conductive carbon.…”

“…By choosing different buffer solutions, it became possible for us to modulate the precipitation process of other metal cations by taking their activity into consideration. 62,63 For example, a buffer solution of 3-(Nmorpholino)propanesulfonic acid (MOPS) was chosen for the precipitation of Ce 3+ . 63 Considering the fact that the K sp value of Ce(OH) 3 was higher than that of Al(OH) 3 , it became possible for us to use this MOPS solution to provide a weak alkali condition at a pH value of around 7.35 for Ce 3+ precipitation.…”

Precise Surface Engineering of Cathode Materials for Improved Stability of Lithium‐Ion Batteries

“…We have recently discussed the possibility of forming nanoshells of different metal oxides such as Al 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 , and CeO 2 in suitable buffer solutions. Taking the coating of LiCoO 2 by Al 2 O 3 as an example, we identified that a buffer solution with a pH value between 3.8 and 4.6 could be very effective and efficient in controlling the precipitation rate of Al(OH) 3 in solution, leaving a flexible capability to form uniform Al 2 O 3 nanoshells around LCO particles.…”

“…For example, for the creation of ZrO 2 nanoshells from Zr 4+ , its high charge makes itself highly moisture sensitive and much easier to precipitate when compared to Al 3+ , accordingly leaving the ZrO 2 formation much harder to be tamed for a favorable coating process. We found that a buffer solution with a lower pH value around 2.3, specifically as provided by the CH 3 COOH–CH 3 COONa couple, which can ensure a reliable capability to form ZrO 2 nanocoating in benefit of the unique capability of the buffer solution . In view of such a simple but straightforward capability in tuning the growth kinetics in solution, we expected that different metal oxides other than the above‐introduced two could be used for surface coating of cathode materials as long as suitable buffer solutions are used as the growth media.…”