Synthesis of tetragonal zirconia nanoparticles via an aqueous solution-gel method

Abstract

Nanoparticles of phase-pure tetragonal ZrO2 are obtained by means of a water-based solution-gel route. By coordinating the Zr4+-ion in a peroxo-citrato-complex, a stable aqueous Zr-precursor is prepared which is transformed into an amorphous gel by evaporation of the solvent. The gel is subsequently thermally decomposed in order to form the oxide. Tetragonal ZrO2 is already present at 500degreesC, as shown by means of a high temperature XRD study of the precursor. TEM images of the gel calcined at 750degreesC show crystalline nanoparticles of tetragonal ZrO2 with a mean particle size of 16 nm. From high resolution XRD and TEM Studies it is concluded that the calcination temperature has a significant effect on the particle size of ZrO2.