ZIRCONIUM DIOXIDE SUPPORTED ON ALPHA-CELLULOSE - SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION

Cellulose-supported zirconium dioxide was prepared by reaction of ethanolic zirconium tetrachloride solution with ct-cellulose. The treated cellulose was characterized by C-13 cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The results show that the zirconium tetrachloride reacts with alpha-cellulose, giving origin to zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) agglomerates on the surface of cellulose fibers. The reaction increased the crystallinity of cellulose. This was attributed mainly to the reaction of hydrogen chloride, generated during the dissolution of zirconium tetrachloride in ethanol, with the amorphous regions of cellulose. Finally, the interaction of cellulose and the oxide is only through London forces.