Synthesis, Optical, Electrical and Optoelectronic Characteristics and Photocatalytic Performance of Nanoparticulate Core/Shell ZrO2/TiO2

Nanoparticulate core/shell ZrO2/TiO2 was obtained adopting sol-gel technique. The scanning electron micrographic images reveal the prepared composite as polycrystalline. Energy dispersive spectrum shows the existence of zirconium in the synthesized material. The recorded X-ray diffraction pattern reveals the anatase TiO2 lattice. The UV-visible diffuse reflectance, photoluminescence and also solid state-impedance spectral results of the obtained nanocomposite are akin to those of TiO2 but they disagree with those displayed by precursor ZrO2. The recorded Nyquist plots under illumination confirm the photoformation of charge carriers in the obtained nanomaterial. The synthesized core/shell ZrO2/TiO2 nanoparticles show efficient photocatalytic activity.