Small-angle neutron scattering study of nanophase zirconia in a reverse micelle synthesis

Nanophase zirconia particles are synthesized by mixing two reverse micelle solutions containing the precursor salt ZrOCl2 and the base NH4OH. The prim ary reverse micelle solution consists of AOT, toluene and water. The revers e micelle structure of four solutions as a function of w (the molar ratio o f [water]/[AOT]) is characterized by small-angle neutron scattering at room temperature. With the addition of ZrOCl2 and NH4OH into the water pools, t he reverse micelle sizes decrease as compared to those in the D2O/AOT/C6D5C D3 primary system. The mixed microemulsions contain reverse micelle sizes t hat fall between the values of the premixed solutions. All the reverse mice lles exhibit uniform size and spherical shape. The effect of concentration of inorganic salt precursor in the water pools on the reverse micelle struc ture is also studied.