Synthesis of ZnO/titanate nanocomposites with highly photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation

Nanocomposites consisted of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and titanate nanotubes were prepared via a solution chemistry method. As characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), infrared and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, and Barrett-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques, ZnO nanoparticles in a hexagonal wurtzite phase were attached to the surfaces of titanate nanotubes to form the nanocomposites. Using photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) as the model reaction, the nanocomposites were found to show a surprisingly high photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, which is superior over that of the component ZnO nanoparticles or titanate nanotubes. The relevant photocatalytic mechanism was discussed and interpreted. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.