In-situ preparation of polymer-coated zirconia nanoparticles by decomposition of zirconium-tert-butoxide

Abstract

Nanocrystalline zirconia particles coated with polymers have been prepared by a two step Chemical Vapor Synthesis process using a hot wall reactor to synthesize the nanocrystalline ceramic core and a subsequent RF plasma reactor for the polymer coating. The polymer coating is built up of organic byproducts of the pyrolysis of the zirconia precursor. By using continuous and pulsed plasma deposition and variation of the plasma parameters, such as RF power, period and duty-cycle, the structure and thickness of the polymer coating can be influenced. Typical particle radii are in the range of 3 to 4 nm with radii of the ceramic core in the range of 2 nm and a coating thickness in the range of 1 to 2 nm. The powders have been characterized by FT-IR, XRD, BET and HRTEM. Consequences for the dispersibility are reported.