Mesoporous silica templated zirconia nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology Vol. 13; no. 7; pp. 2743 - 2748
• Main Authors: Ballem, Mohamed A., Córdoba, José M., Odén, Magnus
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.07.2011; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diffraction; Infiltration; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Leaching; Materials Science; Molds; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; NATURAL SCIENCES; NATURVETENSKAP; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Precursors; Research Paper; Silica; Silicon dioxide; Sodium hydroxide; Zirconia - Nanoparticles - Mesoporous silica - Wet-impregnation - Metal oxide - Synthesis - Nanomanufacturing; Zirconium; Zirconium dioxide; Zirconia; Nanoparticles; Metal oxide; Synthesis; Nanomanufacturing; Mesoporous silica; Wet-impregnation
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-010-0160-7

Nanoparticles of zirconium oxide (ZrO 2 ) were synthesized by infiltration of a zirconia precursor (ZrOCl 2 ·8H 2 O) into a SBA-15 mesoporous silica mold using a wet-impregnation technique. X-ray diffractometry and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy show formation of stable ZrO 2 nanoparticles inside the silica pores after a thermal treatment at 550 °C. Subsequent leaching out of the silica template by NaOH resulted in well-dispersed ZrO 2 nanoparticles with an average diameter of ~4 nm. The formed single crystal nanoparticles are faceted with 110 surfaces termination suggesting it to be the preferred growth orientation. A growth model of these nanoparticles is also suggested.