Controlled Synthesis of ZrO2 Nanoparticles with Tailored Size, Morphology and Crystal Phases via Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Films

Abstract

In this investigation, well defined mesoporous zirconia nanoparticles (ZrO2 NPs) with cubic, tetragonal or monoclinic pure phase were synthesized via thermal recovery (in air) from chitosan (CS)- or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-ZrOx hybrid films, prepared using sol–gel processing. This facile preparative method was found to lead to an almost quantitative recovery of the ZrOx content of the film in the form of ZrO2 NPs. Impacts of the thermal recovery temperature (450, 800 and 1100 °C) and polymer type (natural bio-waste CS or synthetic PVA) used in fabricating the organic/inorganic hybrid films on bulk and surface characteristics of the recovered NPs were probed by means of X-ray diffractometry and photoelectron spectroscopy, FT-IR and Laser Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron and atomic force microscopy, and N2 sorptiometry. Results obtained showed that the method applied facilates control over the size (6–30 nm) and shape (from loose cubes to agglomerates) of the recovered NPs and, hence, the bulk crystalline phase composition and the surface area (144–52 m2/g) and mesopore size (23–10 nm) and volume (0.31–0.11 cm3/g) of the resulting zirconias.

On the Real Nature of Rh Single‐Atom Catalysts Dispersed on the ZrO2 Surface

“…[24,37,38,39] ZrO 2 commonly exists in three polymorphs: cubic, tetragonal, monoclinic. [40,41] Monoclinic ZrO 2 is the most stable phase at room temperature; it transforms to the tetragonal phase at K. Some studies report that tetragonal zirconia is more active and selective than the monoclinic structure, but this is not universal. [38] The most stable facet of tetragonal ZrO 2 is the (101) surface, [42] and we focus our attention on this surface by considering both regular terrace and step sites.…”

Structure of nanoparticles in the ZrO2-Y2O3 system, as obtained under hydrothermal conditions

“…Due to the presence of several polymorphic modifications [1][2][3][4] zirconium dioxide is of interest as a model for studying the effect of the synthesis methods and parameters on the formation of nanocrystals with different structure [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Zirconium dioxide based nanomaterials with various structures, morphologies, and particle size parameters have a wide range of applications [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27], which makes the above studies relevant from a practical point of view as well.…”

Enhanced Thermal Properties of Zirconia Nanoparticles and Chitosan-Based Intumescent Flame Retardant Coatings

“…It is widely utilized in corrosive environments, and zirconium alloys can be used in pipes, steel alloys, and flame retardant coatings. Another anomalous property of zirconia-based materials is their high strength and low thermal conductivity, and some of the zirconium-oxide-containing ceramics can conduct oxygen ions [8][9][10][11][12]. Because of these properties, the zirconium-oxide-based materials are regarded as prominent materials compared to alumina ceramics [13,14].…”