Bulk and surface structures of iron doped zirconium oxide systems: Influence of preparation method

Three different Fe-Zr oxide systems were prepared using firstly classical impregnation of iron nitrates on calcined ZrO2 (Fex/ZrO2, x represents Fe/Zr ratio = 0.01 and 0.11), secondly impregnation of iron nitrates on dried zirconium hydroxide ZrO(OH)2 (Fex/ZrO(OH)2) and finally hydrolysis of aqueous suspension of iron and zirconium salts to coprecipitate iron and zirconium hydroxides (Fex-Zr). Thermal decomposition study of dried samples evidenced a delay in the temperature crystallization of zirconia for Fex-Zr and Fex/ZrO(OH)2, the more the iron content in the sample, the more important the delay. For these samples, the formation and the stabilization of different phases were evidenced by several characterization techniques : X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR).