A Facile Preparation Method of ZrO₂Hollow Sphere Using PVA Microcapsule as a Template

Abstract

Abstract. In this study, we proposed a simple and facile preparation method of ZrO 2 hollow sphere using PVA microcapsule as a template. The prepared hollow sphere was characterized by XRD, FESEM, N 2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, FT-IR techniques. PVA microcapsule were prepared by polymerization in a water-in-oil emulsion and coated by adding of zirconia sol. Uniform and spherical shaped zirconia hollow sphere with very narrow size distribution was obtained after calcination at 700 °C by removing the PVA microcapsule template. No other carbon residues and carbon-zirconium compounds were observed. These results indicate that the zirconia capsule formed without deformation of the zirconia shell structure, and CO 2 and H 2 O gases by decomposition of the PVA microcapsule during sintering process removed through the zirconia shell.