Influence of Zn ion addition on the properties of ordered mesoporous TiO2

Abstract

Herein, we report the preparation and characterization of mesoporous zinc titanate materials. The Zn contents have been estimated by elemental analysis. Samples have been characterized by SAXS, XRD, EDX, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, XPS, Raman and UV spectroscopy. SAXS analysis has shown that the hexagonal array is lost when the zinc content in the materials increases beyond 7 mol%. As proven by XRD and Raman experiments anatase is the predominant phase, however upon zinc addition the crystallinity decreases and the formation of ZnTiO₃ is promoted. Finally the photocatalytic activity of the zinc titanate materials has been tested in the photodegradation of methyl orange.