Organic/inorganic hybrids composites type have been reported as an alternative for the preparation of multifunctional materials with superior properties to those of individual constituents. In this work, hybrid composites of semiconductor oxides with amorphous carbon (C/ZnO and C/TiO2) were synthesized by partial pyrolysis method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD patterns showed the presence of crystalline diffraction lines overlaid by diffraction halos. Infrared spectra showed bands associated to the stretching of Zn-O and Ti-O bonds, as well as bands assigned to the stretching vibrations of C-O, C=O and C-H. Micrographs showed the formation of organized structures in the shape of plates and agglomerates of particles. Structural characterizations showed that the composites present the characteristics of the pristine semiconductors as well of the amorphous carbon matrix, showing a great synergism between C/semiconductor.

The control of environmental pollution has led to an intensive search for innovative and efficient technologies for wastewater treatment, especially those with toxic or non-biodegradable compounds. In this sense, this work involved the preparation of a hybrid composite of TiO2 with amorphous carbon by partial pyrolysis method and the analysis of their photocatalytic potential using phenol red dye as a test molecule. The composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The evaluation of morphology and the structural characterization of the powder confirmed the formation of the hybrid composite of TiO2 dispersed in a carbon matrix with turbostratic structure, organized in the shape of overlapping plates. The composite presented a discoloration rate of 67% after 4 hours of irradiation. The photocatalytic reaction follows a kinetics of first order type.