Nano cellulose-assisted synthesis of zirconia nanorods from local zircon-based Zr(OH)4 precursors

Zirconia nanorods have been successfully synthesized from local zircon-based Zr(OH)4 precursors through a facile precursor-templating method assisted by sugarcane bagasse based-nano cellulose as the one-dimensional (1D) structure directing template. However, the 1D structure arrangement of the zirconia precursors by the cellulose template during synthesis undergoes at selective precursor pHs. The final products of zirconia consist of the t-metastable and the m-phases, exhibit microstructures of nanorods and elongated agglomerates, and reveal large specific surface areas.