Without introduction of any stabilizer, the mesoporous nanocrystalline zirconia with lamellar and MSU structure was obtained via solid state reaction coupled with surfactant templating method. The phase, surface area and pore structure of zirconia prepared with this novel method could be designed, tailored and controlled by varying synthesis parameters. The phase transformation was controlled by particle size. The mesostructure possesses nanocrystalline pore wall, which renders it more thermally stable than amorphous framework. The results suggest strongly that in solid state synthesis system mesostructure formation still follow the supramolecular self-assembly mechanism. The lamellar and reverse hexagonal structure could be transformed at different OH^－/Zr molar ratios in order to sustain the low surface energy of the mesophases. The lamellar structure was preferred at higher OH^－/Zr molar ratios but reverse hexagonal was at low ratios.

Key words: solid state reaction, mesopore, nanocrystalline, zirconia, lamellar structure, MSU structure, mechanism