Synthesis and characterization of hexagonal zirconium phosphate nanoparticles

A facile synthesis of zirconium phosphate (ZP) nanoparticles was studied using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), stoichiometric amounts of zirconyl chloride and phosphoric acid. It was performed in acidic medium via precipitation. After calcinations of PVA/ZP and PVP/ZP at 550 degrees C for 4 h, pure ZP nanoparticles with hexagonal shape were obtained. H-bonds between ZP and PVA or PVP along polymer chains, play an important role in the dispersion of in situ prepared ZP. The formation of ZP nanoparticles was investigated by means of XRD, FT-IR, SEM and TEM. The particles were well dispersed and the mean sizes are about 60 nm. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.