α-Zirconium phosphate nanocrystals with various morphology for photocatalysis

Abstract

α-Zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) nanocrystals with different morphology and particle size were synthesized via three facile and mild methods, namely α-ZrP plates, α-ZrP nanoparticles-1 and α-ZrP nanoparticles-2. α-ZrP plates and α-ZrP nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and N2 sorption isotherms. The photocatalytic activity of α-ZrP plates and α-ZrP nanoparticles were explored by photodegradation of Rhodamine B under ultraviolet irradiation. 97% of Rhodamine B was degraded with α-ZrP nanoparticles-2 within 50 min, which is more efficient than α-ZrP plates and α-zirconium phosphate nanoparticles-1. All α-ZrP catalysts exhibited superior photocatalytic activity.