The yttrium zirconate (Y2Zr2O7) nanocrystals with cubic structure inthe size range of 50 nmwereprepared
by stearic acid method (SAM) using zirconium nitrate and yttrium nitrate as raw materials, stearic acid as
solvent and dispersant. The synthesis process was monitored by TG–DTA. The product was characterized
by XRD, FT-IR, TEM, HRTEM, EDS and BET. The effect of thermal treatment temperature on crystal size
and lattice distortion of the nanocrystals was studied. Y2Zr2O7 nanocrystals obtained by SAM were well
dispersed with average size of 20–40 nm. The interplanar distances measured from the HRTEM image
were 0.294 and 0.185 nm, respectively, coinciding with the theoretical values.Moreover, the photocatalytic
properties of Y2Zr2O7 nanocrystals were measured and discussed.