Effect of iron oxide loading on the phase transformation and physicochemical properties of nanosized mesoporous ZrO2

► Modified preparation method for nanosized iron oxide supported ZrO2 catalysts. ► Systematic study of effect of high iron oxide loading over ZrO2. ► Influence of iron oxide on the stabilization of tetragonal ZrO2 phase. ► A mesoporous nature of zirconia changed upon changing iron oxide loading. ► Surface to bulk migration of iron oxide evidenced by XPS technique.