Acidic aqueous solutions of Zr(SO4)2·4H2O can be used to deposit nanocrystalline zirconium oxide films
on functionalized surfaces. Because zirconium hydrolyzes easily, such solutions are potentially unstable
toward colloid formation and precipitation. Particle growth (conditions: 2 or 4 mM Zr(SO4)2, 0.4 or 0.6 N
HCl, T = 323, 328, 333, or 343 K) was investigated using dynamic light scattering (DLS, in situ) and
analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC, ex situ after quenching to 77 K and rethawing to 298 K). The AUC
measurements revealed three stages of growth (all dimensions given are hydrodynamic radii): (1) coexistence
of several discrete polynuclear complexes with r
h = 0.43−2.29 nm; (2) particle size distribution with a
single sharp maximum; (3) above r
h ≈ 260 nm rapid transition to polydisperse medium with particles up
to 100 μm. The DLS measurements revealed a linear increase of the hydrodynamic radii (z-average of
particle population) from 5 nm to 1000−2500 nm with rates of 0.01−0.6 nm·s-1. The rates were proportional
to the Zr(SO4)2 concentration, while the increase of the HCl concentration slowed or even inhibited growth.
The apparent activation energy for this step was 136 kJ·mol-1. From the induction period before detection
of first particles, initial growth rates (r
h < 5 nm) were calculated to be ≈1 × 10-4 to 5 × 10-3 nm·s-1.
Independent of the conditions, the two reaction rates were always proportional to each other, indicating
linked rate laws. A 4 mM Zr(SO4)2 in 0.4 N HCl solution exhibited no particle growth at 323 K, but
complexes of a constant radius (after 6, 12, and 24 h) of 1.16 nm were detected (AUC). Under these
conditions, films were deposited and their thickness increased linearly with time, specifically by 2.1 × 10-4
nm·s-1. This rate corresponds to the initial growth rate in solution. In contrast to films grown from media
with significant particle growth, these films showed surfaces free of attached particles, cracks, and holes.