Preparation of nanocrystalline Na2ZrO3 for high-temperature CO2 acceptors: chemistry and mechanism

Nanocrystalline Na2ZrO3 was demonstrated as a promising acceptor for CO2 capture at elevated temperatures. The mechanism of nanocrystalline Na2ZrO3 formation from the soft-chemistry route is elucidated by varying precursors, preparation methods, and calciantion temperatures, combining detailed characterizations by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) at different steps in the process. The results revealed that the drying method such as spraying drying and simple evaporation-drying did not influence the final product properties. However both Na and Zr precursors had remarkable influences on the Na2ZrO3 formation. The solid reaction of Na intermediate and nanocrystalline ZrO2 in the calcination was identified as the key step for the Na2ZrO3 formation, where the formation of molten phase Na intermediate was found to be crucial to facilitate the solid reaction. We provided principles for rational design of the chemistry for the Na2ZrO3 formation where the formation of Na intermediate with low melting points is essential. Pure nanocrystalline Na2ZrO3 can be synthesized from a mixture containing sodium nitrate and zirconoxy citrate via the formation of NaNO3 with low melting point. However, it is not possible to form pure nanocrystalline Na2ZrO3 at relatively low temperatures from the mixtures of NaAc/ZrO(NO3)2 or NaCA/ZrOCl2 due to the formation of Na2CO3 and NaCl with high melting points.