Amino Acid‐Mediated Formation of Zirconia Nanoparticles and their Transparent Dispersions

Abstract We present a straightforward one‐pot hydrothermal method for the synthesis of zirconia nanodispersions, leading to the formation of stable sols. By simply varying the nature of the stabilizer used, one can obtain a large variety of objects with different sizes, shapes and crystallinities. Our results demonstrate the crucial role played by aliphatic amino acids both during the formation of the objects and after, since their interaction with the surface of the inorganic crystals influences strongly the optical properties and colloidal stability of the latter. Importantly, the versatility of this method allows for the introduction of different dopants, increasing substantially the scope of applications that can be achieved with such nanoscale oxides. The high transparencies and the easy dispersibility of nanoparticles in different liquid matrixes ensure the formation of zirconia‐based nanocomposites and ceramics with outstanding optical features for the orthopedic, dental, photonics and chemical sectors. This method can be easily scaled up, being already available for the production of high‐quality zirconia nanodispersions at the industrial level.