Carbon template removal by dielectric-barrier discharge plasma for the preparation of zirconia

- Novel 'micro-combustion' is initiated by active oxygen species in DBD plasma.
- The micro-combustion operates at atmospheric pressure and low gas temperature. The micro-combustion works great for removal of a carbon exotemplate.
- The obtained ZrO2 shows a monoclinic lattice structure.
- The obtained ZrO2 is a good catalyst support with a broad pore size distribution.