Influence of additives and post-synthesis treatment on the structural properties of sol-gel prepared alumina-doped zirconia studied by EXAFS-spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction

Alumina- (5 and 10 wt%) doped zirconia samples were prepared by sol-gel processing of aluminum sec-butoxide and zirconium butoxide in the presence of acids (acetic, sulfuric or nitric acid) or organic additives (Pluronic P123). X-ray absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and nitrogen adsorption experiments showed that the structure of the synthesized mixed oxides is strongly influenced by the chemical synthesis parameters.