Synthesis and characterization of highly dispersed YSZ particles with diameter ≤5 nm

Well-dispersive 8 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) particles were synthesized by a solvothermal approach. In this approach, the aqueous solution was avoided and the YSZ particles were assembled on the surfaces of SrCO3 crystals to prevent agglomeration. After calcination at 500 °C, the YSZ particles were crystallized with a cubic structure, and the particle size in the range of 3–6 nm, according to the XRD, BET and TEM investigations. When calcined at 600, 800 and 1000 °C, the particle size increased to 5.5, 7.8 and 11.7 nm, respectively, demonstrating a significantly suppressed size growth characteristic.