Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
We have recently shown the successful synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles that can be optimized for use in volume phase holography by a post-functionalization surface treatment. Here, we present further investigations on the surface modification treatment with the aim of providing tools to tailor the nanoparticle compatibility to the photocurable organic matrix. Highly crystalline ZrO2 nanoparticles with a mean diameter of 5nm are synthesized in multigram yield through a one-pot solvothermal reaction of zirconium (IV) n-propoxide in benzyl alcohol. It is shown that the yield of the ZrO2 nanoparticles and stability of the nanoparticle dispersions are strongly dependent on the synthesis temperature. Post-synthetic surface modification of ZrO2 nanoparticles using several aliphatic ligands with different surface binding groups such as carboxylate (-COO−), amine (−NH2), phosphate (−PO4) and methoxysilane (−SiOCH3) was performed in order to compare the binding ability of these functional groups to the nanoparticle surface and therefore provide a new rational approach for nanoparticle stabilization with organic ligands.