Hydrothermal procedures for the synthesis of zirconia-doped nanocrystalline powders (hydrothermal reactions and hydrothermal crystallization) show important advantages from the thermodynamic and kinetic point of view (larger domain stability of precipitated species, faster kinetics of crystallization) as well as from technological point of view (direct synthesis of crystalline materials in one-step process, low synthesis temperatures, better control of the crystallization and grain sizes with possibilities to obtain nanocrystalline materials, versatility, environmental friendly technology).
Establishment of the conditions for obtaining ZrO2 doped with different oxides is based on thermodynamic predictions. Kinetic modeling of the hydrothermal synthesis of zirconia nanopowders is presented.
Future progress is expected using in-situ hydrothermal synthesis of polymer surface modified nanopowders and hydrothermal/electrochemical thin films deposition to control the morphology and texture of the materials. The impact of these materials in development of fast ionic conducting materials and materials with controlled luminescent properties for SOFC and highly efficiency sensors is discussed.