Multifactor-Regulated Fast Synthesis of [alpha]-Zirconium Phosphate Nanocrystals Towards Highly Efficient Adsorption of Pesticides

[alpha]-zirconium phosphate ([alpha]-ZrP) nanocrystals with surface active groups and layered structure have been widely used in radionuclide removal, proton conductors, chemical sensors, flame retardant and corrosion-resistant materials. The previous synthesis of [alpha]-ZrP nanocrystals is time-consuming and lack of controllability. Herein, a multifactor-regulated fast synthesis strategy in a microwave reactor is proposed to realize the fast and controllable production of the high-quality [alpha]-ZrP nanocrystals. Compared with the conventional hydrothermal synthesis, the reaction time has been reduced from 24 h to 15 min. The degree of crystallinity, the morphology, the lateral size and the thickness can be controlled by adjusting the reaction parameters. Results demonstrate that the obtained [alpha]-ZrP nanocrystals possess good crystallinity, disk morphology, abundant active functional groups, superior thermal stability and strippable layered structure. Furthermore, the [alpha]-ZrP nanocrystals synthesized by the microwave-assisted multifactor-regulated method as environmentally friendly carriers possess better pesticide adsorption efficiency than those synthesized by the conventional hydrothermal synthesis as the result of the smaller size and more exposed adsorption sites. It is envisioned that the multifactor-regulated synthesis in a microwave reactor provides a more efficient and energy-saving alternative to synthesize high-quality nanocrystals and broaden their application in chemical engineering.