Flat band and photocatalytic activities of alumina/zirconia composite ceramics

Abstract

In the scope of this study mesoporous coupled alumina/zirconia composites were synthesized via the sol-gel method, followed by heat treatment at 500°C, for 5h. The XRD pattern of composites has shown that the addition of zirconia disrupts the crystallinity of alumina. The composites with higher zirconia content are characterized by peaks of the tetragonal zirconia phase. On the basis of the calculated flat band potentials from Mott-Schottky plots and optical band gaps, the conduction and valence band potentials were estimated for the composite semiconductors. Photocatalytic activity of synthesized samples in the process of degradation of trichlorophenol was obtained and correlated with band potentials and optical properties.