Synthesis and study of the structure and properties of photocatalytic nanocomposites of the Cu/ZnO-ZnCr2O4 system
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Currently, the development of new nanocomposite materials with improved photocatalytic and antibacterial properties is a topical task for environmentally friendly technologies for water and air purification. This paper presents the results of a study of ZnO-ZnCr2O4 and Cu/ZnO-ZnCr2O4 powder nanocomposites obtained by the polymer-salt method. For the synthesis of nanocomposites, zinc and chromium nitrate solutions with the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone as a soluble organic polymer were used. The structure and morphology of the nanocomposites were studied by XRD analysis and electron microscopy, optical and luminescent properties using spectroscopic methods. As a result of heat treatment at 550 °С, dispersed powders of nanocomposites were obtained, consisting of particles several micrometers in size, including hexagonal ZnO nanocrystals with an average size about16 nm and ZnCr2O4 spinel crystals. In the luminescence spectrum of the Cu/ZnO-ZnCr2O4 composite in the visible region, fluorescence bands are observed characteristic of ZnCr2O4 crystals and structural defects of ZnO crystals. It was found that the intensity of singlet oxygen photogeneration by the Cu/ZnO-ZnCr2O4 nanocomposite linearly depends on the power density of the exciting radiation (the wavelength is 405 nm). Antibacterial activity of the Cu/ZnO-ZnCr2O4 nanocomposite against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 209P bacteria was also revealed. The obtained nanocomposite powders can be used in water and air purification and disinfection systems.
Language: English
Field: Energy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409805400