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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Synthesis and Exfoliation of Discotic Zirconium Phosphates to Obtain Colloidal Liquid Crystals
Published on: May 25, 2016
Preparation, characterization, and modeling of α-zirconium phosphonates with ether-functional surfaces
Benjamin R Furman1, Stephen T Wellinghoff, Paul M Thompson
1Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78238, USA.
Abstract:
Layered α-zirconium(IV) phosphonates were prepared from novel ether-terminal alkyl phosphonic acids, providing nanoplatelets with brush-like polar surfaces. The precursor materials were characterized by NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The derived nanoparticles were examined by XRD, TEM, TGA, and elemental analysis. The experimental compositions were slightly rich in organophosphorus content. In general, the layered materials had good crystallinity, with layer reflections appearing up to (005) and d-spacings consistent with the anticipated α-phase structure. Computer simulations suggest that tailored surface chemistries, including ether functionalities, will offer favorable thermodynamic interactions with polyester polymer matrices.
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