Preparation, characterizations and photocatalytic activity of a ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite

Nanoparticles of TiO2, ZnO and nanocomposite ZnO/TiO2 were prepared via a co-precipitation method. The precursor powders were calcined in air at 400 and 500 °C for 2 h. Crystallite sizes of the calcined samples ranged from 11-43 nm. The XRD patterns of ZnO/TiO2 powder showed two phases of anatase an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials research express 2017-03, Vol.4 (3)
Main Authors: Lachom, Vichuda, Poolcharuansin, Phitsanu, Laokul, Paveena
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
microstructure
nanocomposite
optical properties
oxide semiconductors
photocatalyst
precipitation
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Summary:Nanoparticles of TiO2, ZnO and nanocomposite ZnO/TiO2 were prepared via a co-precipitation method. The precursor powders were calcined in air at 400 and 500 °C for 2 h. Crystallite sizes of the calcined samples ranged from 11-43 nm. The XRD patterns of ZnO/TiO2 powder showed two phases of anatase and wurtzite, with no ZnTiO3 impurity phase. TEM images showed three types of particles in the ZnO/TiO2 samples: a fine particle type of TiO2 and submicron ellipsoidal and rod-like particles of ZnO. The energy gap (Eg) of the calcined powders was evaluated using UV-vis absorption spectra and found to be in the range of 3.15-3.60 eV. Photodegradation efficiencies of the prepared samples in methyl orange aqueous solution were investigated under UVA irradiation. The results showed that nanocomposite ZnO/TiO2 calcined at 400 °C exhibited the highest apparent rate constant (k), and a higher capacity for methyl orange removal than TiO2 and ZnO nanoparticles.
ISSN:2053-1591
DOI:10.1088/2053-1591/aa60d1