Hydrothermal synthesis of nanostructured zirconia materials: Present state and future prospects

Hydrothermal procedures for the synthesis of zirconia-doped nanocrystalline powders show important advantages from the thermodynamic and kinetic point of view (larger domain stability of solid species, faster kinetics crystallisation) as well as from technological point of view (one-step synthesis process at low temperatures, better control of the crystallisation and grain sizes with possibilities to obtain nanocrystalline materials, versatility, environmental friendly technology). Establishment of the conditions for obtaining ZrO2-doped with different oxides is based on thermodynamic predictions. Kinetic modelling of the hydrothermal synthesis of zirconia nanopowders is presented. The impact of these materials in development of fast ionic conducting materials and materials with controlled luminescent properties for SOFC and highly efficiency sensors is discussed.