Synthesis and characterization of a UV-resistant ZnO/pyrophyllite nanocomposite prepared by solid-state reaction method. Issue 22 (15th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cui, Xiaomei; Wang, Ling; Dong, Qiuye; Liang, Weicong; Zhao, Shuai
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 48:Issue 22(2022)
• Page Start: 34084
• Page End: 34091
• Publication Date: 2022-11-15
• Subjects: Nano-ZnO -- Pyrophyllite -- UV shielding -- Nanocomposite; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.08.165
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years, wide-bandgap semiconductor materials such as nano-TiO2 and nano-ZnO have been extensively utilized in UV protection. However, there are some nonnegligible disadvantages, such as agglomeration and low transparency, which limit their applications. It is urgent to develop new UV shielding materials for UV-radiation protection. In the present study, a new ZnO/pyrophyllite nanocomposite was synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) and UV–vis spectrophotometry. The photocatalytic activity test of the synthesized ZnO/pyrophyllite nanocomposite was also performed to analyse the application prospect of the nanocomposite. The results suggest that the ZnO/pyrophyllite nanocomposite's UV shielding rate is greater than 99% and is superior to that of conventional nano-ZnO. Moreover, the nanocomposite has better transparency than nano-ZnO in the visible light region. The degradation rate of methylene blue by the nanocomposite reached 92.1% after 150 min of UV radiation. The strong photocatalytic activity enables the nanocomposite to be a promising self-cleaning material. These results indicate that the synthesized ZnO/pyrophyllite nanocomposite could be a promising candidate for use in UV-protective and self-cleaning textile finishing industries.