Characterization and photocatalytic activity of (ZnO–CuO)/SBA-15 nanocomposites synthesized by two-solvent method

Journal Article · Fri Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Materials Research Bulletin

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MATERRESBULL.2014.05.012· OSTI ID:22420535

Dai, Peng; Zhang, Lili; Zhang, Gongtuo; Li, Guang; Sun, Zhaoqi ^[1]; Liu, Xiansong ^[2]; Wu, Mingzai ^[1]

---

1. Key laboratory of Information Materials and Device, School of Physics and Materials Science, Anhui University, Hefei 230039 (China)
2. Engineering Technology Research Center of Magnetic Materials, Hefei 230039 (China)

Schematic between charge genenration and transfer for methylene orange degradation simulated by light. - Highlights: • Two-solvent method is used to prepare ZnO–CuO particles embedded in porous SBA-15. • The absorption edge of (ZnO–CuO)/SBA-15 composite is in the visible light regime. • The absorption intensity of the composite in visible light regime is enhanced. • The (ZnO–CuO)/SBA-15 composite has higher photocatalytic ability than Degussa P-25. - Abstract: Two-solvent method was employed to prepare ZnO–CuO nanoparticles embedded in mesoporous silica SBA-15 ((ZnO–CuO)/SBA-15). The as-obtained (ZnO–CuO)/SBA-15 nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N{sub 2} adsorption porosimetry, and diffusive reflective UV–vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of (ZnO–CuO)/SBA-15 nanocomposites toward methylene orange was investigated under simulated solar light irradiation, and the measurement results indicated that (ZnO–CuO)/SBA-15 nanocomposites exhibit higher photodegradation activity toward methylene orange than commercial TiO{sub 2} P-25. The photocatalytic activity of (ZnO–CuO)/SBA-15 nanocomposites were found to be dependent on both the adsorption ability of the nanocomposites and the loading dosage of ZnO–CuO nanoparticles in SBA-15. The optimal loading dosage of ZnO–CuO nanoparticles was determined. Too high or too low loading will lower the photodegradation ability of (ZnO–CuO)/SBA-15 nanocomposites.

• OSTI ID: 22420535
• Journal Information: Materials Research Bulletin, Vol. 56; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0025-5408
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ADSORPTION
COPPER OXIDES
IRRADIATION
NANOCOMPOSITES
NANOPARTICLES
NANOSTRUCTURES
PHOTOCATALYSIS
POROUS MATERIALS
SYNTHESIS
TITANIUM OXIDES
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
VISIBLE RADIATION
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
X-RAY PHOTOELECTRON SPECTROSCOPY
ZINC OXIDES