Photocatalytic activity of ZrO2 nanoparticles prepared by electrical arc discharge method in water

ZrO2 nanoparticles were synthesized through arc discharge of zirconium electrodes in deionized (DI) water. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the as prepared nanoparticles indicates formation a mixture of nanocrystalline ZrO2 monoclinic and tetragonal phase structures. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images illustrate spherical ZrO2 nanoparticles with 7-30 nm diameter range, which were formed during the discharge process with 10 A arc current. The average particle size was found to increase with the increasing arc current. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirms formation of ZrO2 at the surface of the nanoparticles. Surface area of the sample prepared at 10 A arc current, measured by BET analysis, was 44 m(2)/g. Photodegradation of Rhodamine B (Rh. B) shows that the prepared samples at lower currents have a higher photocatalytic activity due to larger surface area and smaller particle size. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.