Preparation and Characterization of TiO2–ZrO2 Mixed Oxide Catalysts for Photocatalytic Reduction of Carbon Dioxide

Abstract

Seven pure and mixed oxides TiO2, ZrO2 catalysts with the mole fraction of TiO2 in the range 0–1 were prepared by a sol-gel process controlled in the reverse micellar environment. Triton X114 was used as the nonionic surfactant and titanium(IV) isopropoxide and/or zirconium(IV) propoxide were used as the metal precursors. As treatment method the calcination at temperature of 400°C in air was applied. The effect of ZrO2 on photocatalytic properties of prepared mixed-oxide catalysts was evaluated. Textural properties, structural properties, morphology and purity of prepared catalysts were characterized by nitrogen physisorption at 77 K, advanced XRD analysis, TEM, XRF, UV-VIS and organic elemental analysis. For testing of photocatalytic activity the photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide was chosen with methane and methanol as the main reduction products.