Synthesis of stabilized zirconia hollow nanoparticles: sugar as a template

Hollow zirconia (HZ) nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized by a simple, versatile, and an efficient methodology based on sol–gel technique. Before gelation, zirconia sols of different molarities are treated ultrasonically for 10 min with sugar as a template. XRD results reveal that higher molarity of the sol results in higher tetragonal zirconia (t-ZrO2) content. SEM images show the formation of HZ with diameter ~50 nm at relatively higher molarities of sol. Internal structure of sugar acts as an initiator for hydrolysis of zirconia, resulting in the formation of a smooth zirconia shell on the sugar surface. Sugar has been separated carefully for the formation of HZ NPs. FT-IR spectrum shows the formation of ZrO2 bond along with the appearance of stretching C–C bond in NPs synthesized using the highest molar sol. As-synthesized ZrO2 NPs have high value of hardness (up to 852 HV). These optimized HZ NPs can be used as capsule for drug delivery, template for synthesis of controlled-size NPs in biological implants, etc. To the best of our knowledge, HZ NPs, using sugar as template, have never been reported through sol–gel method.

Duke Scholars

Author Mustafa Shadi Rifaat Bashir Radiology, Abdominal Imaging