LAUSR

Abstract Zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal route using zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl2) as a single precursor with different sodium carboxylates as mineralizers. The structure, morphology and defects of the nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, HRTEM and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the as-synthesized zirconia was pure monoclinic ZrO2 phase. The crystallite sizes were in the range 8.9–19.5 nm. The defects and microstrains of ZrO2 nanoparticles were greatly influenced by the type of sodium carboxylate. Apparently, there was a direct correlation between the stability constant of Zr(IV)-carboxylate complex and the amount of defects in the produced ZrO2. Sodium tartrate produced semicrysalline ZrO2 nanoparticles with microstarin that were 5 times greater than that produced without any carboxylate salt. ZrO2 nanoparticles with increased defects and microstarins were found to be rich with surface hydroxide groups. Designing monoclinic ZrO2 with controlled defects and degree of hydroxylation may have a great impact in heterogonous organic catalysis.