Clean synthesis of lanthanum zirconate nanoparticles and evaluation of its mechanical properties using nanoindentation

The cleaner synthesis is an effective technique to nullify the formation of carcinogenic reactive agents while synthesising, dumping heavy metals into soil. Hydrothermal-assisted synthesis of Lanthanum Zirconate (LZ) is performed successfully using sodium hydroxide as a reaction-promoting agent. The pyrochlore-structured LZ is obtained at 800°C, and phase transformation from fluorite to pyrochlore is confirmed through XRD, Raman analysis. The addition of nano-sized cerium oxide as reinforcement to LZ has resulted in a 30% increase in both hardness and elastic modulus. The ratios' hardness and elastic modulus, H/E and H3/E2 indicate an increase in fracture toughness. A 7% reduction in elastic relaxation promotes microfracture initiation over crack propagation. The use of novel, nonhazardous reactants for the synthesis of LZ nanoparticles via a cleaner synthesis route enhances sustainability when compared to other methods. This nonhazardous method demonstrated higher yields, greater dimensional homogeneity, providing a better pathway for producing LZ nanoparticles.