Shaping zirconium phosphateα-Zr(HPO4)2·H2O: from exfoliation to first α-ZrP 3D open-cell macrocellular foams

Abstract

Using a two-step synthetic route that first takes benefit of an α-Zr(HPO₄)₂·H₂O (α-ZrP) exfoliation process followed by an air–liquid foam shaping method we have designed for the first time 3D macrocellular foams made of α-ZrP lamellae. Apart from this high scale texturation we were able to tune the macroscopic void space shapes (polygonal-type or spherical-type) as well as cell wall thickness by varying the starting foam’s water volume fraction (ρ). Also, by adjusting the size of the porous disk employed during the bubbling process we can define the macroscopic cell diameters with a strong degree of control.