Pure monoclinic ZrO2 prepared by hydrothermal method for isosynthesis

► ZrO2 nanoparticles with pure monoclinic phase were prepared by hydrothermal method. ► As high as 30.2% CO conversion and 90.3% i-C4 selectivity were obtained over ZrO2-HT. ► A higher basic/acidic ratio was beneficial to the formation of i-C4 products.