Synthesis optimization of carbon-supported ZrO₂ nanoparticles from different organometallic precursors

We report here the synthesis of carbon-supported ZrO₂ nanoparticles from zirconium oxyphthalocyanine (ZrOPc) and acetylacetonate [Zr(acac)₄]. Using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS), we could investigate the thermal decomposition behavior of the chosen precursors. According to those results, we chose the heat treatment temperatures (T_HT) using partial oxidizing (PO) and reducing (RED) atmosphere. By X-ray diffraction we detected structure and size of the nanoparticles; the size was further confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. ZrO₂ formation happens at lower temperature with Zr(acac)₄ than with ZrOPc, due to the lower thermal stability and a higher oxygen amount in Zr(acac)₄. Using ZrOPc at T_HT ≥900 °C, PO conditions facilitate the crystallite growth and formation of distinct tetragonal ZrO₂, while with Zr(acac)₄ a distinct tetragonal ZrO₂ phase is observed already at T_HT ≥750 °C in both RED and PO conditions. Tuning of ZrO₂ nanocrystallite size from 5 to 9 nm by varying the precursor loading is also demonstrated. The chemical state of zirconium was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which confirms ZrO₂ formation from different synthesis routes.