Synthesis of porous Al ₂ O ₃ /ZrO ₂ nanocomposites by chemical vapour deposition

Al2O3/ZrO2 one-dimensional nanocomposite structures were synthesised by chemical vapour deposition using Al2O3 nanowires and a ZrCl4 powder source at a temperature of 800 °C and a pressure of 130 Pa. The samples were characterised using X-ray diffraction, the scanning electron microscopy, the transmission electron microscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption. The results revealed that Al2O3/ZrO2 composite nanowires coated with surface-embedded ZrO2 nanocrystals were formed and that the ZrO2 macroporous and mesoporous structures changed as the ZrO2 deposition time increased. The pore structure and surface area were also elucidated from the N2 adsorption–desorption measurements.