ZnO–TiO2: Synthesis, Characterization and Evaluation of Photo Catalytic Activity towards Degradation of Methyl Orange

Here in, we report the synthesis and characterization of ZnO–TiO2 composite as a potential photo catalyst for photo degradation of methyl orange under UV irradiation. ZnO–TiO2 with 1:1 ratio was synthesized via wet incipient impregnation method using TiO2 and Zn(NO3)2 ⋅ 6H2O as precursor material and the prepared composite was characterized by XRD, EDX and SEM. The synthesized composite was employed as photo catalyst for photo degradation of methyl orange. The photo degradation results showed that ZnO–TiO2 exhibited better catalytic performance than ZnO and TiO2 alone. The methyl orange photo degradation efficiency was determined to be 98, 75 and 60% over ZnO–TiO2, ZnO and TiO2 respectively using 50 mL solution of 100 mg/L at 40 °C for 120 min. The ZnO–TiO2 catalyzed photo degradation of methyl orange followed pseudo-first-order kinetic in terms of Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism.

Graphene–Magnetic Spinel Ferrite Nanocomposite: Facile Synthesis and Excellent Photocatalytic Performance

Spinel ferrite structured ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles anchored on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) sheets have been prepared via a facile hydrothermal method combined with a solvothermal approach. For the synthesis of the ZnFe2O4/rGO nanocomposites, the rGO nanosheet contains epoxy functional groups serving as the active sites, which allowed the formation of uniform ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles. Due to the structure of the ZnFe2O4/RGO nanocomposites, the aggregation of the ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles can be readily disrupted and electronic transfer through the rGO nanosheets is accelerated. This could in turn enhance the photocatalytic efficiency. It was also demonstrated that ZnFe2O4/rGO (40 wt-%) hybrid nanocomposites almost reached adsorption equilibrium in the RhB dye within 60min. The Langmuir equation model showed that the photodegradation of RhB was well fitted to first order reaction kinetics with k=0.6254min−1. This illustrated that the addition of GO could reduce the bandgap of pure ZnFe2O4, which avoided the combination of electrons and holes. The ZnFe2O4/rGO nanocomposites could also enhance the utilisation of sunlight. In addition, the ZnFe2O4/rGO nanocomposite photocatalyst also demonstrated a supramagnetic property, holding potential to be utilised for water treatment.

One-step modified method for a highly efficient Au–PANI@TiO2visible-light photocatalyst

The ternary visible-light photocatalyst Au–PANI@TiO₂was synthesized by anin situreaction of an aniline monomer and HAuCl₄.

Hierarchical structures based on gold nanoparticles embedded into hollow ceria spheres and mesoporous silica layers with high catalytic activity and stability

CeO₂/Au@mSiO₂ composite multifunctional materials were synthesized, and this hollow hierarchical catalyst exhibited superior catalytic activity and stability.