Synthesis of zirconia colloidal dispersions by forced hydrolysis

Different zirconia colloidal dispersions (sols) were prepared from zirconyl oxynitrate and zirconyl oxychloride solutions by forced hydrolysis. Vigorously stirred acidic solutions of these salts were refluxed at 102 oC for 24 h. Characterization of the obtained sols (pH, solid phase content, crystal structure) was performed by potentiometric, XRD, TGA/DTA and SEM measurements. The prepared sols contained almost spherical monoclinic hydrated zirconia particles 7–10 nm in diameter.