Sol-gel synthesis of sterically stabilized zirconia nanoparticles

Submicron-sized, monodispersed zirconia (ZrO2) particles as well as zirconia nanoparticles are synthesized using sol-gel technique involving hydrolysis of zirconium (IV) n-propoxide in anhydrous ethanol solution. ZrO2 nanoparticles synthesized using the present technique are sterically stabilized using hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) polymer. The effect of various processing parameters viz. 'R' ([water]: [alkoxide]) and HPC concentration ([HPC]) on the average nanoparticle size, their agglomeration, and phase evolution behavior is investigated. The as-synthesized and calcined zirconia nanoparticles are characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The different mechanisms responsible for stabilizing metastable-tetragonal phase in nano-sized ZrO2 particles, under different processing conditions; are discussed.