Methanol templated synthesis of ordered lamellar superstructured zirconia and its outstanding hierarchical thermostabilities

Abstract

Ordered lamellar superstructured zirconia (OLSZ) was successfully synthesized via a reflux-hydrothermal method. ZrOCl 2 , NaOH and methanol were used as zirconium source, precipitant and template, respectively. Methanol induced and directed the hierarchical structures: 0.57-nm thick ultrathin crystal framework, 1.14-nm periodic lamellar superstructure, several nanometers thick petal-like multilayered nanosheets, and flowers-like higher-level structure. OLSZ presented outstanding hierarchical thermostabilities up to 800 °C. The synthetic mechanism was proposed based on Gibbs theory and calculations. Compared with surfactant method, methanol template route presents many advantages, such as green, facile, efficient and low-cost, moreover the template is very easy to remove. This novel small molecule template strategy will be of great significance for the synthesis of other superstructured materials. • OLSZ was synthesized via a methanol template route. • OLSZ presented outstanding hierarchical thermostabilities. • OLSZ is stable up to 800 °C. • The route is green, facile, efficient, low-cost and surfactant-free. • Methanol template is very easy to remove.