Characteristics and Performance of Nanozinc OxideMesoporous Silica Gel Photocatalytic Composite Prepared by a Sol-Gel Method

Abstract EN

Nano-ZnO loaded mesoporous SiO2 was prepared by sol-gel technology as a photocatalytic composite.

XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, and N2 sorption isotherms were used to characterize the nano-ZnO/mesoporous SiO2.

Acid Red 18 was used as simulated pollutant to determine the photocatalytic performance of nano-ZnO/mesoporous SiO2 under ultraviolet light and solar light.

The results showed that 6.4 nm ZnO was obtained and immobilized on mesoporous SiO2.

Compared to the mesoporous SiO2, the surface area and average pore width of nano-ZnO/mesoporous SiO2 were reduced by 12 m2/g and 0.7 nm, respectively.

50% ZnO content in a composite calcinated at 200∘C exhibited the best photocatalytic activity.

The removal of Acid Red 18 under solar irradiation was 10% higher than ultraviolet light.