Fabrication and stabilization of nanocrystalline ordered mesoporous MgO-ZrO2 solid solution

The crystalline mesoporous MgO-ZrO2 solid solutions have been fabricated by a simple evaporation induced self assembly procedure with zirconyl chloride octahydrate (ZrOCl2 center dot 8H(2)O) and magnesium nitrate tetrahydrate (Mg(NO3)(2)center dot 4H(2)O) as metal precursors and triblock co-polymer of Pluronic P123 as templating agent. Small-angle X-ray diffraction (SXRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results showed that ordered mesoporous structure and worm-like mesoporous structure were obtained under different calcine temperatures. Wide angle X-ray diffraction (WXRD) indicated that the formation of homogeneous solid solutions were responsible for the stable tetragonal phase. All MgO-ZrO2 solid solutions were endowed with strong basicity (H_ = 9.3-12.2) and high water resistance. The Mg2+ doped into zirconia lattice could stabilize the tetragonal phase and prevent zirconia crystals from excessive growth. This kind of structure could also inhibit basic sites dissolve in water in the reaction and effectively improve the thermal stability of products. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.