Synthesis and comparative studies of xerogels, aerogels, and powders based on the ZrO2–Y2O3–СeO2 system

Abstract

The technology of liquid-phase synthesis of mesoporous xerogels and aerogels based on ZrO₂–Y₂O₃–CeO₂ is developed. Xerogels are obtained by the coprecipitation of hydroxides, while aerogels are obtained in accordance with the sol–gel technology: the average pore size is 1.5–17.2 nm and the specific surface area is 120–878 m²/g. Aerogels are characterized by a high degree of porosity: the pore volume attains 1–4 cm³/g. Based on precursor xerogels, nanopowders of a tetragonal solid solution of the (ZrО₂)_0.92(Y₂О₃)_0.03(CeО₂)_0.05 composition with a particle size of 5–9 nm and S_spec = 74 m²/g were fabricated. Due to the high values of their specific surface area, the synthesized xerogels and aerogels are promising as sorbents, catalysts, or catalyst supports.