The series of solid solution nanopowders were
obtained by a polyol technique where the precipitates, obtained after heating at 180 ºC
ethylenglycol solutions of vanadyl acetonate and zirconium n-propoxide, were annealed
at different temperatures up to 1300 ºC for short duration, in order to improve their
crystallinity and control the crystalline form of the final nanoparticles. On annealing at
around 450 ºC high crystalline tetragonal V-containing zirconia particles were
developed, which transform into the monoclinic form of the V-ZrO2 solid solution after
subsequent annealing at 800 ºC.