Formation of yttrium and zirconium oxyhidrates with nonionic surfacant presence

The effect of widespread nonionic penetrating agent OP-10 (octyl phenyl ether of deca-ethylenglycol) on physicochemical properties of oxyhydrates of two metals varying in basicity, zirconium and yttrium, has been investigated. Sorption properties, thermolysis and surface morphology of the samples, obtained without surfactant agent and with OP-10 at such concentrations in mother solution that make the surfactant form molecular solutions, spherical and cylindrical micelles, have been studied. Zirconium oxyhydrate prepared with OP-10 present in mother solution forms spheroidal nanoparticles, maximum quantity of which is observed at OP concentration corresponding to that of the spherical micelle formation. Yttrium oxyhydrate forms rod-like nanoparticles at OP-10 concentration in mother solution corresponding to that of the cylindrical micelle formation. Zirconium and yttrium oxyhydrates obtained at optimal OP-10 concentration have higher sorption properties by an order of magnitude than the samples synthesized without a surfactant.