The influence of preparation conditions on ZrO_2 nanoparticles with different PEG-PPG-PEG surfactants by statistical experimental design

摘要

In this study mesoporous Zirconia powder with high surface area was prepared by using PEG-PPG-PEG new block copolymer as the non-ionic surfactant. The preparation conditions were optimized by Taguchi method of experimental design and Minitab Software to synthesize high surface area tetragonal-ZrO_2 nanoparticles. The BET surface area of powders was 114-175 m~2/gr and the particles size calculated by Deby-Sherrer equation was 5-9 nm. pH = 11, aging time 38 h, Zr molarity 0.03, Surfactant/Zr mole ratio 0.04 and molecular weight 8400 were the best conditions to manufacture ZrO_2 with higher surface area. The sample prepared under optimized conditions was compared to that synthesized by PEG surfactant. XRD patterns of two ZrO_2 samples, hysteresis loop, pore size distribution, BET surface area and SEM results are similar.