A simple and cheap method for preparation of coupled ZrO2/ZnO with high photocatalytic activities

The objective of this study was to prepare a new photocatalyst with high activities for degradation of organic pollutants. Coupled ZrO₂/ZnO photocatalyst was prepared with a simple precipitation method with cheap raw materials zinc acetate and zirconium oxychloride, and was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Reactive brilliant red X-3B was used as a model compound to investigate the photocatalytic activity of synthesized catalysts in water under 254 nm UV irradiation. Results show that the optimal calcination temperature and coupling molar ratio of Zr were 350°C And 2.5%, respectively. At the calcination temperature of 350°C, ZrO₂ was dispersed on the surface of hexagonal ZnO in the form of amorphous clusters. The particle size of ZrO₂/ZnO decreased with the decrease of calcination temperature and the increase of Zr coupling amount. ZrO₂/ZnO has better photocatalytic activity for degradation of reactive brilliant red (RBR) X-3B than pure ZnO and P25-TiO₂.