Methanol templated synthesis of ordered lamellar superstructured zirconia and its outstanding hierarchical thermostabilities

Ordered lamellar superstructured zirconia (OLSZ) was successfully synthesized via a reflux-hydrothermal method. ZrOCl2, NaOH and methanol were used as zirconium source, precipitant and template, respectively. Methanol induced and directed the hierarchical structures: 0.57-nm thick ultrathin crystal framework, 1.14-nm periodic lamellar superstructure, several nanometers thick petal-like multilayered nanosheets, and flowers-like higher-level structure. OLSZ presented outstanding hierarchical thermostabilities up to 800 degrees C. The synthetic mechanism was proposed based on Gibbs theory and calculations. Compared with surfactant method, methanol template route presents many advantages, such as green, facile, efficient and low-cost, moreover the template is very easy to remove. This novel small molecule template strategy will be of great significance for the synthesis of other superstructured materials.