Zirconium Nanostructures Obtained from Anodic Synthesis By-Products and Their Potential Use in PVA-Based Coatings

Nanostructures obtained as a by-product of the electrochemical synthesis of ZrO2 nanotube membranes have scarcely received any attention despite their enormous potential. This is mainly due to their size properties, morphology, and composition. In the present work, these nanostructures are characterized, and their potential application as an additive in PVA-based coatings is analyzed. The characterization was performed by X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the nanostructures consist of tubular fragments generated during the formation of the ZrO2 membrane, with a dimension of 626.74 nm in width, a length of 1906.39 nm, and a clear cubic structure. The ZrO2-PVA coating, which is prepared by using the spin coating technique, presented a uniform and homogenous particle distribution, which was later confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The optical transparency and thermal resistance were evaluated through UV-Vis spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis, showing that the incorporation of ZrO2 as an additive improved its UV absorption properties and thermal stability during the pyrolysis stage. The results suggest that the ZrO2 nanostructures enhance the thermal and protective properties of the PVA-based coatings by acting as physical barriers and stabilizers within the polymer matrix.