ZrO₂ Doped with Cobalt Nanoparticles to Detect UV Radiatiion

Abstract

This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of the ZrO2:Co nanosystem, by incorporation of Co nanoparticles (CoNP) into tetragonal and monoclinic zirconia. ZrO2 was synthesized by a sol-gel process, while cobalt nanoparticles were obtained through a colloidal method by chemical reduction of a metal precursor. CoNP were incorporated by two different approaches: during the synthesis of the ZrO2 and by classical impregnation of CoNP on zirconium oxide. The size of Cobalt nanoparticles was controlled through the concentration of reducing agent (NaBH4) and passivanting agent (1-dodecanethiol). According to SEM and TEM analysis, the diameter of the zirconium oxide particles depends on the CoNP concentration added; the particle size for pure zirconia treated at 500°C is 200 nm and 180 nm for ZrO2:Co. X-Ray diffraction showed presence of the tetragonal and monoclinic zirconia, but the abundance of each one depends on the Co nanoparticles and thermally treatment.