Dispersion and interaction of ZrB2 nanopowders with gallic acid in n-butanol

This paper has systematically investigated the dispersion behavior of ZrB2 nanopowders in n-butanol solution and the adsorption mechanism of gallic acid on ZrB2. Gallic acid was found to be effective as a dispersant, which could provide stabilization of ZrB2 particles in the suspension. The stability of ZrB2 suspension and the adsorption amount of gallic acid were increased with increasing of gallic acid content (up to 6 wt%), and the pH value did not need to be adjusted. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurement and computer simulation revealed that the adsorption of gallic acid involved the interaction of two adjacent OH groups with Zr ions on the particle surfaces and complexation, which formed mononuclear chelate through a Zr atom binding to O atoms at position 3 and 4, or binuclear chelate by two Zr atoms replacing H atoms at position 4 and 5.