Role of graphene in structural transformation of zirconium oxide

Fine powders of zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) were prepared using zirconium oxychloride by combustion method. The crystalline size of pure ZrO₂ was in range of 14–45 nm. Graphene was incorporated in ZrO₂ using graphene oxide as precursor and reducing it with hydrazine hydrate. X-Ray diffraction, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and Raman spectroscopy methods were used to characterize the samples. The role of graphene in structural transformation of ZrO₂ to monoclinic phase was clearly observed.