Preparation of ZrO₂ nano-particles by the hydrolysis of ZrOCl₂ solution in the reverse micelles

Zirconia nano-particles have been produced by the hydrolysis of ZrOCl₂ solution in the reverse micelles of a liquid-liquid two-phase system, in which sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinite (AOT) and toluene were chosen as the surfactant and organic phase, respectively. The reverse micelles prevented the aggregation of primary particles and reduced the diameters of zirconia nano-particles. Superfine zirconia powders soft-aggregated by the zirconia nano-particles were obtained. The diameters of zirconia nano-particles were influenced by the quantity of the surfactant.