The structure formation of zirconium oxide gels in alcoholic solution

Zirconium oxide gels were prepared by controlled hydrolysis and condensatio n of zirconium-n-propoxide in alcoholic solution. After completion of the g elation the aging and drying of the alcogel was observed in situ by Small a nd Wide Angle X-ray Scattering experiments at room temperature. The xerogel s obtained have been annealed at different temperatures to crystallization. The structural changes were observed by using SAXS and WAXS. Structural mo dels reproducing the experimental WAXS data have been simulated by the reve rse Monte Carlo method. A comparison between zirconium oxide xerogels obtai ned under different thermal treatments was made and evidence was found that thermal treatment at higher temperatures and preparation conditions affect the atomic arrangement of these amorphous gels.