Nanosize stabilization of cubic and tetragonal phases in reactive plasma synthesized zirconia powders

► Direct conversion of micron-sized zirconium hydride powder to single crystal ZrO2 nanopowder. ► Size dependent stabilization of cubic, tetragonal and monoclinic phases in the reactive plasma synthesized ZrO2 nanopowder. ► Transmission electron microscopic investigation to identify particles of different sizes and their corresponding phase structure.