Synthesis of Mixed-Phase TiO2–ZrO2 Nanocomposite for Photocatalytic Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

The use of TiO2 nanoparticles for photocatalysis for the degradation of organic dyes under UV light for wastewater treatment has been widely studied. However, the photocatalytic characteristics of TiO2 nanoparticles are inadequate due to their UV light response and higher band gap. In this work, three nanoparticles were synthesized: (i) TiO2 nanoparticle was synthesized by a sol-gel process. (ii) ZrO2 was prepared using a solution combustion process and (iii) mixed-phase TiO2–ZrO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a sol-gel process to remove Eosin Yellow (EY) from aqueous solutions in the wastewater. XRD, FTIR, UV-VIS, TEM, and XPS analysis methods were used to examine the properties of the synthesized products. The XRD investigation supported the tetragonal and monoclinic crystal structures of the TiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles. TEM studies identified that mixed-phase TiO2–ZrO2 nanoparticles have the same tetragonal structure as pure mixed-phase. The degradation of Eosin Yellow (EY) was examined using TiO2, ZrO2, and mixed-phase TiO2–ZrO2 nanoparticles under visible light. The results confirmed that the mixed-phase TiO2–ZrO2nanoparticles show a higher level of photocatalytic activity, and the process is accomplished at a high degradation rate in lesser time and at a lower power intensity.

Silver Containing Antimicrobial Coatings on Innovative Ti-30Nb-5Mo β-Alloy Prepared by Micro-Arc Oxidation for Biomedical Implant Applications

“…According to the Mg high-resolution spectrum analysis, the peak for MgCO 3 was observed at 1305 eV [45]. Regarding the alloying elements, the TiO 2 doublet was observed, with peaks at 458.5 eV and 464.1 eV [45,46,59,61,62], the Nb 2 O 5 peaks of the 3d, 3d 5/2 , and 3d 3/2 doublets were observed at 207.1 eV and 209.8 eV [46], and no peaks of Mo were detected. In addition to the low concentration of Mo in the substrate alloy, its property as a valve metal makes its oxidation less energetically favorable by the MAO method [41,63].…”

Antimicrobial Cu-Doped TiO2 Coatings on the β Ti-30Nb-5Mo Alloy by Micro-Arc Oxidation

“…Figure 7 shows the high-resolution XPS spectra of the alloying elements incorporated into the coating. Regarding the alloying elements, doublets related to TiO 2 ( Figure 7 a) and Nb 2 O 5 ( Figure 7 b) were observed at 458.5 and 464.1 eV [ 38 , 44 , 55 , 56 , 57 ] and 207.1 e 209.8 eV [ 44 ], respectively. Mo is present in low quantities in the alloy (5% by weight) and is also known as a valve metal.…”

Incorporation of Ca, P, Mg, and Zn Elements in Ti-30Nb-5Mo Alloy by Micro-Arc Oxidation for Biomedical Implant Applications: Surface Characterization, Cellular Growth, and Microorganisms’ Activity

“…Upon the Ti peaks deconvolution, the doublet relative to TiO 2 was observed, with a peak (2p 3/2 ) at 458.5 eV [53]. The Nb spectrum showed the Nb 2 O 5 peaks of the 3d, 3d 5/2 , and 3d 3/2 doublets at 207.1 eV [47].…”

“…Kuroda et al [13] studied the effect of thermal treatments on MAO coatings and observed that, even at high temperatures (800 °C), the coating remained amorphous. Upon the Ti peaks deconvolution, the doublet relative to TiO2 was observed, with a peak (2p3/2) at 458.5 eV [53]. The Nb spectrum showed the Nb2O5 peaks of the 3d, 3d5/2, and 3d3/2 doublets at 207.1 eV [47].…”