Template Assisted Microwave Synthesis of rGO-ZrO₂ Composites: Efficient Photocatalysts Under Visible Light.

In this research, cetyltetraethyl ammonium bromide template assisted microwave procedure was utilized to synthesize reduced graphene oxide-zirconia (rGO-ZrO₂) nanocomposites by varying the rGO composition (1, 2, 5 and 10 wt%). The physico-chemical characteristics of the nanocomposites were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffusive reflectance ultraviolet-visible (DRUV-vis), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N2-physisorption techniques. The results from XRD, Raman and DSC studies indicate that the increase in rGO concentration resulted in the delay in ZrO₂ crystallization temperature and alteration of ZrO₂ phase from monoclinic to tetragonal due to an effective incorporation of rGO nanosheets in ZrO₂ structure.

Acidic Peptizing Agent Effect on Anatase-Rutile Ratio and Photocatalytic Performance of TiO2 Nanoparticles.

TiO nanoparticles were synthesized from titanium isopropoxide by a simple peptization method using sulfuric, nitric, and acetic acids. The effect of peptizing acid on physicochemical and photocatalytic properties of TiO powders was studied. The structural properties of synthesized TiO powders were analyzed by using XRD, TEM, N-physisorption, Raman, DR UV-vis, FTIR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy techniques.

Influence of crystal structure of nanosized ZrO2 on photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange.

Nanosized ZrO2 powders with near pure monoclinic, tetragonal, and cubic structures synthesized by various methods were used as catalysts for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. The structural and textural properties of the samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, UV-vis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and N2 adsorption measurements. The performance of synthesized ZrO2 nanoparticles in the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange under UV light irradiation was evaluated.

Direct formation of thermally stabilized amorphous mesoporous Fe2O3/SiO2 nanocomposites by hydrolysis of aqueous iron III nitrate in sols of spherical silica particles.

Nanocomposite materials containing 10% and 20% iron oxide/silica, Fe2O3/SiO2 (w/w), were prepared by direct hydrolysis of aqueous iron III nitrate solution in sols of freshly prepared spherical silica particles (Stöber particles) present in their mother liquors. This was followed by aging, drying, calcination up to 600 degrees C through two different ramp rates, and then isothermal calcinations at 600 degrees C for 3 h. The calcined and the uncalcined (dried at 120 degrees C) composites were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption/desorption techniques, and scanning electron microscopy as required.