Structural Characterization of Zirconia Nanoparticles Prepared by Microwave-Hydrothermal Synthesis

Nanocrystalline zirconia powders have been prepared by microwave-hydrothermal synthesis starting from aqueous solution of ZrOCl2·8H2O. Results of investigations on the aqueous suspension stability of the washed zirconia nanopowders by dynamic light scattering showed that the suspension, constituted by superaggregates of nanoparticles (131 ± 10 nm), was stable up to 15 days. Nanopowders were investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy and small angle x-ray scattering measurements which proved that the zirconia nanopowder is constituted by small primary nanoparticles of ca. 8 nm that agglomerate forming bigger aggregates of 50 ± 1 nm.