ZnFe2O4-TiO2 nanoparticles within mesoporous MCM-41.
A novel nanocomposite ZnFe(2)O(4)-TiO(2)/MCM-41 (ZTM) was synthesized by a sol-gel method and characterized through X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), N(2) adsorption-desorption, Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry. The results confirmed the incorporation of ZnFe(2)O(4)-TiO(2) nanoparticles inside the pores of the mesoporous MCM-41 host without destroying its integrity. ZnFe(2)O(4) nanoparticles can inhibit the transformation of anatase into rutile phase of TiO(2). Incorporation of ZnFe(2)O(4)-TiO(2) within MCM-41 avoided the agglomeration of nanoparticles and reduced the band gap energy of TiO(2) to enhance its visible light photocatalytic activity. UV-vis absorption edges of ZTM nanocomposites redshifted with the increase of Zn/Ti molar ratio. The nanocomposite approach could be a potential choice for enhancing the photoactivity of TiO(2), indicating an interesting application in the photodegradation and photoelectric fields.
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
Aidong
A
Tang
Yuehua
Y
Deng
Jiao
J
Jin
Huaming
H
Yang
D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D013818:Thermogravimetry; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry*
D005290:Ferric Compounds; C009495:titanium dioxide; C000499:ferric oxide; D014025:Titanium; D015032:Zinc