Synthesis of Amorphous Zirconium Dioxide from Zirconyl Nitrate in Presence of Oxalic Acid

The article presents the results of studies on preparation of amorphous zirconium dioxide from zirconium nitrate by its hydrolysis in the presence of oxalic acid. It is determined that the balance of reagents taken for synthesis (1 ml 0,025 M ZrO(NO3)2 is 1.35 ml 4 M HOOC-COOH), and the optimum temperature of the received gel drying, which is 230 ̊С, is established, too. Morphology of the obtained ZrO2 samples was explored. It has been found that the calcining temperature is independent of the size and shape forming irregular agglomerates, consisting of smaller spherical particles, whose diameter varies between 50 and 300 nm. The X-ray analysis of the sample is represented, which showed a low degree of crystallinity of the substance. IR spectroscopy data showed the presence of zirconium dioxide-characteristic peaks on the IR spectrum. The same spectrum reflects the presence of a large amount of sorbed water in the obtained sample, as well as peaks characteristic of the gas adsorbed by the sample from the environment.