Production of Composite ZrO₂-ZnO Nanoparticles Using Advanced Co-precipitation Process and Determination Their Photo-oxidative Properties by Oxidation of C60 Fullerene

Abstract

In this work we have analyzed the formation, structure and properties of ZrO2-ZnO composite nanoparticles and their ability to photooxidize C60 fullerenes in air. Analysis using XRD, TEM, UV-visible spectroscopy and ESR revealed that the optical and oxidative properties of heterogeneous ZrO2-ZnO ensembles of nanoparticles depend on the preparation method. The use of chemical co-precipitation technique lead to the formation of supersaturated solid solutions during synthesis and their partial decomposition during heating formed optically active material in comparison with traditionally mixing technique. It was shown that the addition of 3-5 wt% ZnO to ZrO2 increased the concentration of reactive oxygen species on the surface of ZrO2 particles by 50%.