Synthesis of growth-controlled ZrO2 nanocrystals via vapor phase hydrolysis

The growth-controlled zirconia nanocrystals were successfully synthesized via vapor phase hydrolysis without using any capping agents. This method provided the advantage of no high hydrolysis reactivity of precursors. The resultant ZrO2 nanocrystals exhibited the ultrafine nanoscale size of less than 5 nm and a high specific surface area ranging from 400 m2 g−1 to 450 m2 g−1, which could be well controlled by changing the reaction temperature, the reaction time, or the solvent.