Synthesis and formation process of zirconium dioxide nanorods

Crystalline zirconium dioxide nanorods have been prepared by a simple hydrothermal process using zirconium hydroxide as the zirconium raw material. Zirconium dioxide nanorods are composed of monoclinic zirconium dioxide phase, which has been confirmed by the X-ray diffraction analysis. Electron microscopy observations show that the zirconium dioxide nanorods have a single crystal structure, with the rod diameter of less than 100 nm and length of 1–2 μm. Hydrothermal temperature and reaction time play essential roles in the formation and growth of the zirconium dioxide nanorods. Nucleation and crystal growth process are proposed to explain the formation and growth of the zirconium dioxide nanorods.