Abstract
Stable and high surface area zirconium oxide nanoparticles have been synthesised by means of the hydrothermal method. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller results show that a high surface area of 543 m2/g was obtained in the hydrothermal process, having a high porosity in nanometre range. The hydrothermal method was applied at 120 °C by using an autoclave with a Teflon liner at an ambient pressure for 48 h. High-resolution scanning electron microscopy shows the different morphologies of zirconia nanoparticles, which could be categorised as one-dimensional and zero-dimensional, as they had a high crystallite orientation, which was also confirmed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD). The mixture of two types of cubic phases in one sample was obtained from XRD and confirmed by the zirconia nanostructure, showing the stable phase of fluorite, which has full cubic symmetry (Im-3m), and also an Arkelite zirconia nanostructure, showing the stable phase of fluorite, which has full cubic symmetry (Fm-3m). The XRD results also show the different structure orientations of face-centred cubic and body-centred cubic in one sample.
Highlights
The synthesis of zirconium oxide nanoparticles (ZrO2) in one-dimensional (1D) or three-dimensional (3D) form has attracted considerable research due to the excellent mechanical and chemical properties of these nanoparticles. 1D nanomaterials, such as nanoribbons, exhibit novel physical properties with potential application in a number of areas due to their high strength and fracture toughness, low thermal conductivity, high corrosion resistance, both acidic and basic properties and high melting point (Dong, Lin, Liu, & Li, 2009; Kalkur & Lu, 1992; Wang et al, 2009; Xu, Qin, Yang, & Li, 2003)
This paper reports on the hydrothermal method used to synthesise Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanostructure, such as nanorods and nanospheres, with pure cubic phases without any fabrication
Zirconia nanoparticles stop losing weight at 920 °C, with a total mass of 7.5%. These results confirm the thermal stability of zirconia nanoparticles synthesised by using the hydrothermal method, as it shows little degradation. This is very important in the modification of Nafion membrane for fuel cell application, as it will enhance the thermal stability of the membrane (Wang, Tan, Li, Sun, & Zhang, 2006)
Summary
The synthesis of zirconium oxide nanoparticles (ZrO2) in one-dimensional (1D) or three-dimensional (3D) form has attracted considerable research due to the excellent mechanical and chemical properties of these nanoparticles. 1D nanomaterials, such as nanoribbons, exhibit novel physical properties with potential application in a number of areas due to their high strength and fracture toughness, low thermal conductivity, high corrosion resistance, both acidic and basic properties and high melting point (Dong, Lin, Liu, & Li, 2009; Kalkur & Lu, 1992; Wang et al, 2009; Xu, Qin, Yang, & Li, 2003). The synthesis of zirconium oxide nanoparticles (ZrO2) in one-dimensional (1D) or three-dimensional (3D) form has attracted considerable research due to the excellent mechanical and chemical properties of these nanoparticles. Zirconia, in the form of nanotubes or nanowires, is expected to improve the sensitivity of chemical sensors and reinforce thermal stability and toughness of the material (Hamling, 1997). The stabilised cubic ZrO2 can be used as an oxygen sensor in fuel cell membranes, because it has the ability to allow oxygen ions to move freely through the crystal structure at high temperatures (Ge et al, 2014; Kumari et al, 2009). This paper reports on the hydrothermal method used to synthesise ZrO2 nanostructure, such as nanorods and nanospheres, with pure cubic phases without any fabrication. As it is inexpensive and insensitive to the atmosphere
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
