Abstract
Rodlike t-ZrO
2 nanoparticles with aspect ratio of 1.3–8.0 and large surface area (152
m
2/g) have been produced by two-step calcination of 1,12-diaminododecane–hydrous zirconia mesostructured composites. The two-step calcination consists of first calcination at 300
°C for 24
h and then at 400
°C for another 24
h. The resulting t-ZrO
2 nanoparticles can be stored under ambient conditions for at least 2 months without discernible transformation to the monoclinic phase. Compared to one-step calcination at 400
°C, the two-step calcination increases the amount of hydrocarbon fragments (3.6
wt% versus 2.9
wt%) adsorbed onto the resulting t-ZrO
2 nanoparticles. This increase may account for the improved phase stability of the rodlike t-ZrO
2 nanoparticles.