Synthesis and characterization of highly ordered mesoporous YSZ by tri-block copolymer

A highly ordered mesoporous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has been successfully prepared by evaporation-induced self-assembly method (EISA) using tri-block copolymer Pluronic F127 as a structure-directing agent and inorganic chlorides as precursors in a non-aqueous medium. The characterization of the mesoporous YSZ materials was carried out by using small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 adsorption/desorption. The well ordered mesoporous YSZ is thermally stable up to 600∘C with an average pore size of 5.4 nm and specific surface area of 90 m2/g. The walls of mesoporous YSZ are composed of ∼6.5 nm nano-crystalline domains.