Facile route to synthesize zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) nanostructures: Structural, optical and photocatalytic studies

A facile sonochemical-assisted process has been developed for the morphology-controlled preparation of nano structured zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) by using zirconyl nitrate and ethylenediamine for the first time. Effects of concentration of ethylenediamine and several solvents were studied to reach optimum condition. It was found that these parameters play important roles in controlling the morphology and particle size of the final products. The structural and morphological properties of the as-prepared nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDS) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, the optical properties of as-synthesized ZrO2 were examined by Ultraviolet visible (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic behavior of as-synthesized ZrO2 was also examined by degradation of eriochrome black T dye as a model of water contaminant. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.