Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Monocrystalline Cubic ZrO2.12 Nanoparticles

Non-stoichiometric zirconium oxide nanocrystals with the formula of ZrO_2.12 and diameters less than 10 nm were synthesized in the course of calcination of a dried solution of zirconium(IV) oxy nitrate in the presence of citric acid at 600 °C for 5 h. Crystallite size of product was increased to 20 nm when starch was used as emulsifier. Effect of the organic additive, which was equal of moles of the nitrate ions of the zirconium precursor, was investigated on phase formation, morphology and particle size of products. Samples were characterized by FT-IR, TG/DTA, SEM and TEM analysis. Phase structure of samples were also analysed by the powder X-ray diffraction.