An Amorphous Phase Precedes Crystallization: Unraveling the Colloidal Synthesis of Zirconium Oxide Nanocrystals.

ABSTRACT: One can nowadays readily generate monodisperse colloidal nanocrystals, but the underlying mechanism of nucleation and growth is still a matter of intense debate. Here, we combine X-ray pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to investigate the nucleation and growth of zirconia nanocrystals from zirconium chloride and zirconium isopropoxide at 340 °C, in the presence of surfactant (tri-n-octylphosphine oxide). Through E1 elimination, precursor conversion leads to the formation of small amorphous particles (less than 2 nm in diameter). Over the course of the reaction, the total particle concentration decreases while the concentration of nanocrystals stays constan

SUBMITTER: Pokratath R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10173684 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature