Abstract

Continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis (CHFS) has been used as a rapid and clean, synthetic method to produce a range of crystalline nanoparticles in the Ti–Zn–O binary system. The nanopowders were prepared from aqueous solutions of titanium(IV) bis(ammonium lactato)dihydroxide (TIBALD) and hydrated zinc nitrate, respectively, using a CHFS reactor which uses superheated water (at 400 °C and 24.1 MPa) as a reagent and crystallizing medium. The resulting nanopowders were heat-treated at 850 °C for five hours in air to give photoactive semiconductor mixtures of rutile and zinc oxide and/or zinc titanates. The as-prepared powders and their corresponding heat-treated mixed phase photocatalysts were characterized using powder X-ray synchrotron diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, BET surface area measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Because of the interest for these materials in UVA and UVB attenuating materials, the UV-Vis profiles of the nanocomposites and solid solutions were studied. Photocatalytic activity of the samples towards the decolourisation of methylene blue dye was also assessed.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.