Zirconium Nitrate

Zirconium Series

Zirconium Nitrate, chemically represented as Zr(NO₃)₄ (predominantly existing in hydrated forms such as the pentahydrate (Zr(NO₃)₄·5H₂O) or tetrahydrate (Zr(NO₃)₄·4H₂O) under ambient conditions), is a key inorganic compound in the zirconium salt family. Distinguished by its stable zirconium(IV) oxidation state (+4) and exceptional solubility in polar solvents, it serves as a critical precursor for zirconium-based materials—bridging the gap between raw zirconium ores and high-performance products like zirconia ceramics, thin films, and catalysts. Unlike less soluble zirconium salts (e.g., zirconium sulfate, zirconium oxychloride), Zirconium Nitrate’s high aqueous solubility enables precise control over zirconium ion concentration, making it ideal for wet chemical synthesis and solution-based processing. With base purities ranging from 98% (technical grade) to 99.999% (ultra-high purity), it is widely used in ceramics, electronics, catalysis, and laboratory research.

Commercially, Zirconium Nitrate is categorized by hydration state, purity, and particle size to meet diverse application needs. Technical Grade (purity 98.0%–99.0%, typically pentahydrate, particle size 100–200 mesh) prioritizes cost-efficiency for industrial uses like ceramic sintering aids (lowering the sintering temperature of zirconia ceramics), textile flame retardants, and raw material for zirconium oxide synthesis. Reagent Grade (purity ≥99.5%, controlled hydration ±0.5%, particle size 200–300 mesh) meets laboratory standards for analytical chemistry (e.g., zirconium coordination studies), small-scale material synthesis (as a precursor for zirconium-based catalysts), and 水质 treatment (for heavy metal ion adsorption). High-Purity Grade (purity ≥99.99%, low-hydrate form like dihydrate (Zr (NO₃)₄・2H₂O), particle size 200–300 mesh) targets electronics and optoelectronics, including precursors for zirconium oxide thin films (used in dielectric layers) and dopants for conductive ceramics—where trace impurities (e.g.,<10 ppb heavy metals, <5 ppb silicon, aluminum) must be minimized to avoid performance defects. Ultra-High Purity Grade (purity ≥99.999%, anhydrous Zr (NO₃)₄) is a niche grade for semiconductor and quantum dot applications, with hydration tightly controlled (<0.1% moisture) to ensure compatibility with high-temperature deposition processes. At standard temperature and pressure, Zirconium Nitrate pentahydrate appears as colorless to white crystalline powder or needle-like crystals—its light color and low reactivity simplify handling, while hydration state is distinguishable via thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA): pentahydrate loses 结晶 water at 60–100°C, forming anhydrous Zr (NO₃)₄ above 180°C (with partial decomposition).

Physically, Zirconium Nitrate exhibits traits tailored to its hydration state and application requirements. The pentahydrate (Zr(NO₃)₄·5H₂O) has a molecular weight of 429.32 g/mol, a bulk density of ~1.48 g/cm³, and exceptional aqueous solubility: it dissolves in water at ~180 g/100 mL (20°C) and in polar organic solvents (e.g., ethanol, methanol) at ~80 g/100 mL (20°C)—a key advantage over less soluble zirconium salts, enabling high-concentration solution processing. Anhydrous Zirconium Nitrate (molecular weight 339.21 g/mol) has a higher bulk density (~1.81 g/cm³) but is less stable, decomposing gradually above 180°C to form zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ). Thermal stability varies with hydration: lower hydrates (dihydrate, monohydrate) decompose at 120–160°C, while higher hydrates (pentahydrate, tetrahydrate) lose water in stages, with complete decomposition to ZrO₂ above 400°C. It exhibits moderate hygroscopicity (~0.8% moisture absorption at 60% humidity) compared to highly hygroscopic zirconium oxychloride, preventing severe caking but requiring sealed storage to maintain hydration consistency. Notably, its solution pH is slightly acidic (pH 2–3 for 10% aqueous solution at 20°C) due to partial hydrolysis of Zr⁴⁺ ions, which can be stabilized by adding dilute nitric acid—this property is leveraged in thin-film deposition to avoid premature precipitation.

Chemically, Zirconium Nitrate’s defining feature is the stability of Zr⁴⁺ ions and their reactivity in solution. As a zirconium (IV) nitrate, it dissociates completely in aqueous solutions into Zr⁴⁺ and NO₃⁻ ions, with Zr⁴⁺ ions readily forming hydrated complexes (e.g., [Zr (H₂O)₈]⁴⁺) that exhibit weak Lewis acid properties. This acidity enables it to catalyze organic reactions (e.g., esterification, hydrolysis of esters) and adsorb anionic impurities (e.g., phosphate, arsenate) in water treatment. Unlike zirconium (IV) oxide (insoluble), Zirconium Nitrate reacts readily with strong bases (e.g., sodium hydroxide) to form insoluble zirconium hydroxide (Zr (OH)₄) precipitates (Zr (NO₃)₄ + 4NaOH → Zr (OH)₄↓ + 4NaNO₃), a reaction used in analytical chemistry to isolate zirconium from nitrate-rich solutions. When heated, it undergoes thermal decomposition: first losing 结晶 water, then releasing NOₓ and oxygen, and finally forming ZrO₂—a pathway widely used to synthesize high-purity zirconia for ceramics and electronics. It is chemically inert under normal conditions, with no redox reactivity (Zr⁴⁺ is the most stable oxidation state of zirconium), making it safe for use in most industrial and laboratory processes.

The industrial production of Zirconium Nitrate primarily uses zirconium-rich raw materials, such as zirconium oxychloride (ZrOCl₂・8H₂O) or zirconium oxide (ZrO₂), via acid dissolution or nitrate metathesis. The process involves four core steps. First, raw material preparation: if using ZrO₂ (purity ≥99.0%), it is crushed to 100–200 mesh and dissolved in concentrated nitric acid (HNO₃, 65%–68% purity) at 70–90°C, with a molar ratio of ZrO₂ to HNO₃ of 1:4 (reaction: ZrO₂ + 4HNO₃ + 3H₂O → Zr (NO₃)₄・5H₂O). If using zirconium oxychloride, a solution of ammonium nitrate ((NH₄)₂NO₃) is added to induce metathesis, forming Zirconium Nitrate and ammonium chloride (byproduct, removed via evaporation). Second, purification: the resulting solution is filtered to remove undissolved impurities (e.g., silica, titanium oxides). For high-purity grades, solvent extraction (using organic solvents like tributyl phosphate, TBP) is used to reduce trace metals (e.g., Fe, Cu, Cr) and chloride ions (from zirconium oxychloride) to ppb levels. Third, crystallization: the purified solution is concentrated under reduced pressure at 50–60°C to a 50%–60% concentration, then cooled to 0–5°C to induce pentahydrate crystallization. The crystals are filtered and washed with cold dilute nitric acid (5% concentration) to remove residual impurities and prevent hydrolysis. Fourth, drying and finishing: the wet crystals are dried at 50–70°C (for higher hydrates) to control moisture content, then crushed and screened to target particle size. For anhydrous Zirconium Nitrate, the pentahydrate is dried at 160–180°C under vacuum (with controlled oxygen flow) to remove all 结晶 water without excessive decomposition, then packaged in nitrogen-filled containers. High-purity grades undergo additional ion exchange to reduce anion impurities (e.g., Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻) to<1 ppm.

Zirconium Nitrate’s applications are driven by its high solubility and Zr⁴⁺ stability. In ceramics, Technical Grade pentahydrate is a critical precursor for yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics: dissolved in water, it is mixed with yttrium nitrate and spray-dried to form uniform powder, which is sintered into high-strength ceramics used in engine components and medical implants. In electronics, High-Purity Grade dihydrate is a precursor for zirconium oxide thin films: dissolved in ethanol, it is deposited via spin coating or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and annealed to form dielectric layers for capacitors and transistors—its high purity ensures low leakage current and uniform film thickness. In catalysis, Reagent Grade Zirconium Nitrate is used to synthesize zirconium-based catalysts (e.g., ZrO₂-supported platinum) for hydrocarbon reforming: its solution-based preparation enables uniform dispersion of active metals, enhancing catalytic activity and stability. In water treatment, it is used as an adsorbent for phosphate and heavy metal ions (e.g., Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺): Zr⁴⁺ ions form stable complexes with these contaminants, which are then removed via precipitation. Additionally, it is used in textile industry as a flame retardant: when applied to fabrics, it decomposes at high temperatures to form ZrO₂, which acts as a barrier to heat and oxygen.

Safety-wise, Zirconium Nitrate has low acute toxicity and is considered safe for most industrial and laboratory uses. Its crystals and solutions cause minimal skin or eye irritation—direct contact may result in mild dryness, but no chemical burns (unlike strong acids or oxidizing salts). Inhalation of fine powder may irritate the respiratory tract, leading to temporary coughing, so dust generation should be minimized via proper ventilation and dust collection systems. It is non-flammable, but thermal decomposition above 180°C releases toxic nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), which require proper fume extraction. To ensure safety, operators should wear nitrile gloves and safety goggles when handling; a dust mask is recommended for fine-powder grades. Storage should be in a cool (15–25°C), dry (<60% area="" in="" acid-resistant="" containers="" to="" maintain="" pentahydrate="" should="" be="" protected="" from="" excessive="" heat="">60°C) to prevent water loss and partial decomposition, while anhydrous Zirconium Nitrate should be stored under nitrogen to avoid moisture absorption. It should be stored separately from strong bases and reducing agents to avoid unwanted reactions. In case of skin contact, rinse with water for 10 minutes; eye contact requires flushing with water. If inhaled, move to fresh air. When stored properly, pentahydrate has a shelf life of 1–2 years, anhydrous Zirconium Nitrate 6–12 months (due to higher instability). Expired products may show reduced solubility, discoloration (yellowing from decomposition), or increased moisture content (detected via TGA) and should be tested before use.

WNX employs advanced automated production technology and uses high-quality raw materials to produce high-quality Zirconium Nitrate.
Key Features:
High Purity:Zirconium Nitrate contains no impurities from rare earth elements (such as iron, calcium, sodium), and the impurity content is low.
Good Solubility: Zirconium Nitrate can dissolve rapidly in water and strong acids.
Consistency: The strict batch management in the production of Zirconium Nitrate ensures stable quality for industrial large-scale production.

Chemical catalyst: Zirconium Nitrate acts as a Lewis acid catalyst and is used in organic synthesis reactions, such as catalyzing the formation of N-substituted pyrroles. Its anhydrous form can also nitrate aromatic compounds like quinoline and pyridine.

Material precursor for preparation: Zirconium Nitrate serves as a precursor for chemical vapor deposition (CVD), used for the fabrication of zirconium dioxide films or coatings, applicable to semiconductor and optical devices. It is also a raw material for synthesizing other zirconium salts (such as zirconium oxide, zirconium complexes).

Analytical Chemistry and Special Reagents: Zirconium Nitrate is used as an analytical reagent for fluoride ion determination. Zirconium Nitrate can be used as a preservative or a humidity sensor (due to its strong hygroscopicity).

Nuclear Industry and Separation Technology: Zirconium Nitrate In the process of nuclear fuel treatment, by taking advantage of the distribution difference of zirconium and hafnium nitrate solutions in the tri-butyl phosphate/kerosene system, nuclear-grade zirconium (with extremely low hafnium content) can be separated.

1.Neutral labels/packaging (jumbo bag of 1.000kg each net),Two bags per pallet.

2.Vacuum-sealed, then wrapped in air cushion bags, and finally packed into iron drums.

Drum: Steel drums (open-top, 45L capacity, dimensions: φ365mm × 460mm / inner diameter × outer height).

Weight per Drum: 50 kg

Palletization: 18 drums per pallet (total 900 kg/pallet).

Transport Class: Maritime transportation / Air transportation

Custom packaging available upon request