Title: Synthesis and photocatalytic activity of ZnO/TiO₂ nanoparticle

Authors: R. Parimaladevi; K. Sumathi

Addresses: Department of Physics, Mother Teresa Women's University, Kodaikanal – 624101, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Physics, Mother Teresa Women's University, Kodaikanal – 624101, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract: ZnO/TiO₂ photocatalysts were synthesised via wet-chemical techniques. These can subsequently be used as efficient photocatalysts which can effectively degrade organic contaminants. Photocatalysts prepared with these techniques were characterised with X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer, UV-visible spectroscopy and photo luminescence. XRD confirmed the formation of ZnO/TiO₂ nanoparticle. UV-visible spectroscopy showed significant difference in the optical absorption. Enhancement in optical absorption of ZnO/TiO₂ indicated that it can be used as an efficient photocatalyst under UV irradiation. The photo-reduction activities of photocatalysts were evaluated using methyl orange as organic contaminant. The experiment demonstrated that the photo-degradation value of ZnO/TiO₂ was significantly higher than that of ZnO.

Keywords: zinc oxide; titanium oxide; particle size; photoluminescence study; photocatalysis; nanoparticles; nanotechnology; optical absorption; photodegradation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2014.064276

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2014 Vol.5 No.3, pp.182 - 191

Received: 02 Feb 2013
Accepted: 31 Aug 2013
Published online: 30 Aug 2014 *

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