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Structural stability and optical properties of nanocrystalline zirconia
Author(s) -
Manna Sujit,
Ghoshal Tandra,
Deb A. K.,
De S. K.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of applied crystallography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.429
H-Index - 162
ISSN - 1600-5767
DOI - 10.1107/s0021889810013488
Subject(s) - nanocrystalline material , crystallite , materials science , cubic zirconia , monoclinic crystal system , rietveld refinement , nanocrystal , photoluminescence , nanoparticle , band gap , grain size , zirconium , lattice constant , absorption spectroscopy , particle size , analytical chemistry (journal) , crystal structure , chemical engineering , crystallography , nanotechnology , chemistry , optics , ceramic , composite material , diffraction , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , metallurgy , physics , engineering
Nanoparticles of the cubic phase of zirconia (ZrO 2 ) of size range 4.5–8.7 nm have been synthesized by alkaline hydrolysis of a zirconium salt followed by solvothermal reaction. Subsequently, the room‐temperature stability of cubic ZrO 2 nanoparticles has been explored with the goal of understanding how crystal structure tends to transform into a structure of higher symmetry with decreasing crystallite size. The room‐temperature‐stable cubic phase in nanosized ZrO 2 has been observed to transform into the monoclinic phase at 873 K. The crystalline phases of ZrO 2 nanocrystals have been determined quantitatively by Rietveld refinement. Lattice constant and internal strain increase with decreasing particle size. Growth kinetics studies have established that cubic nanocrystals are more stable at smaller crystallite sizes. UV–visible absorption spectra show an absorption peak at 275 nm which indicates a lowering of the band gap energy. Photoluminescence spectra of zirconia nanoparticles show an emission peak at 305 nm at room temperature. The modification of the optical properties is explained on the basis of oxygen vacancies present within the samples.