Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Self-assembled colloidal crystals from ZrO2 nanoparticles.

Jonathan D Woodward1, Joseph M Pickel, Lawrence M Anovitz

  • 1Chemical Sciences Division and Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tennessee 37831, USA.

The Journal of Physical Chemistry. B
|September 29, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Researchers created robust, ordered 3-D zirconia colloidal crystals from nanoparticle suspensions. This surfactant-free method offers a novel route to advanced ceramic materials with controlled porosity.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Solution structures in alkali nitrates and nitrites at high concentrations.

RSC advances·2026
Same author

Correction: Effect of multiple calcination cycles on CO<sub>2</sub> capture efficiency during carbonation of MgO in a mineral looping process.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Libration of hydroxyl groups in layered aluminum (oxy)hydroxides and other material analogs: insights from inelastic neutron scattering and theory.

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2026
Same author

Hydrogen Production from Polyethylene Pyrolysis.

ACS omega·2026
Same author

Mechanistic Insights into Defect-Mediated Crystallization Revealed by Lattice Strain Evolution.

Journal of the American Chemical Society·2026
Same author

Effect of multiple calcination cycles on CO<sub>2</sub> capture efficiency during carbonation of MgO in a mineral looping process.

Scientific reports·2025

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Nanotechnology
  • Colloid Science

Background:

  • Traditional synthesis of colloidal crystals often relies on hydrocarbon surfactants and solvents.
  • Controlling nanoparticle assembly into ordered structures is crucial for advanced material properties.
  • Zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticles offer potential for robust ceramic materials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a novel, surfactant-free method for synthesizing ordered 3-D zirconia colloidal crystals.
  • To investigate the assembly mechanism of zirconia nanoparticles in aqueous suspensions.
  • To characterize the structure and thermal stability of the synthesized colloidal crystals.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of zirconia (ZrO2) nanoparticle suspensions in aqueous media.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Controlled pH titration from mild acid to neutral conditions to induce nanoparticle assembly.
  • Characterization using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS).
  • High-temperature sintering (300-500 °C) to enhance crystal robustness.

    • Main Results:

    • Successfully synthesized ordered 3-D colloidal crystals of micrometer size, composed of 4 nm ZrO2 nanoparticles.
    • The crystals exhibited a hexagonal faceted structure.
    • Heat treatment up to 500 °C resulted in robust structures, with some ordered domains persisting above 350 °C.
    • Sintering significantly increased the surface area, revealing controlled interstitial spaces and pores.

    Conclusions:

    • A facile, aqueous, surfactant-free method enables the formation of ordered 3-D zirconia colloidal crystals.
    • The pH-controlled assembly is driven by reduced nanoparticle solubility upon surface neutralization.
    • The resulting robust, porous zirconia structures are promising for various advanced applications.