Small-angle neutron-scattering study of nanophase zirconia in a reverse micelle211 synthesis

摘要

Nanophase zirconia particles are synthesized by mixing two reverse micelle211u001esolutions containing the precursor salt ZrOCl(sub 2) and the base NH(sub 4)OH. 211u001eThe primary reverse micelle solution consists of AOT, toluene and water. The 211u001ereverse micelle structure of four solutions as a function of w (the molar ratio 211u001eof (water)/(AOT)) is characterized by small-angle neutron scattering at room 211u001etemperature. With the addition of ZrOCl(sub 2) and NH(sub 4)OH into the water 211u001epools, the reverse micelle sizes decrease as compared to those in the D(sub 211u001e2)O/AOT/C(sub 6)D(sub 5)CD(sub 3) primary system. The mixed microemulsions 211u001econtain reverse micelle sizes that fail between the values of the pre-mixed 211u001esolutions. All the reverse micelles exhibit uniform size and spherical shape. The 211u001eeffect of concentration of inorganic salt precursor in the water pools on the 211u001ereverse micelle structure is also studied.