Synthesis and characterization of TiO2 doped with ZnO by the polymer
precursor method (Pechinni)
Yirlen Alejandra Mazabuel
Stephanie Dayana Sarabino
Jorge Enrique Rodríguez
Science and Technology Laboratory of Ceramic Materials (CYTEMAC)
Physics Department
University of Cauca
Liliana Tirado
Interdisciplinary Institute of Sciences
University of Quindio
Titanium dioxide (TiO2), is a material that has been widely used science and
technology field, in particular, it has been employed in photocatalysis processes
exhibiting good results as a degrading agent of some pollutants in the air under UV
irradiation; also it has a high chemical stability, photostability, low production cost
and non-toxicity. Meanwhile, the ZnO, usually with a wurtzite structure, has high
optical transmission in the visible and high infrared reflectance, adequate thermal
stability, good transparency, low cost and it is not toxic; moreover, this oxide has
been used in degradation of organic contaminants processes.
In this study the synthesis of ceramic powders of TiO2 and TiO2 doped with ZnO
(with variations in the concentration of ZnO) is exposed, through the polymeric
precursor Pechini method and the influence of the heat treatment method in the
obtained samples (with temperature variations 450 ° C, 500 ° C, 550 ° C, 600 ° C
and 650 ° C) .Finally, the microstructural and morphological characteristics of
sintered powders of TiO2-ZnO is presented, using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for
analyzing the present functional groups, X-ray diffraction (XRD) to identify
crystalline phases; in order to set the particle size and their homogeneity, an
electron spectroscopy (SEM) was used.