Characterization of TiO2 Nanoparticles and ZnO/TiO2 Composite Obtained by Hydrothermal Method

Abstract

ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles as well as ZnO/TiO2 core/shell structures have been prepared by hydrothermal method and characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, XRD and EDX analysis, FTIR and luminescence spectroscopy. Porous ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposites with micron sized channels and walls consisting of nanoparticles with size of 30-80 nm for the ZnO component and 10-20 nm for the TiO2 component have been obtained. Wurtzite and anatase strucrures have been revealed for the ZnO and TiO2 constituents, respectively, from XRD analysis. The analysis of FTIR spectra indicates on a strong interaction of intrinsic atoms with species from organic solvents occurring at the surface of nanoparticles constituting the nanocomposite. A strong green emission coming from the TiO2 component has been observed in luminescence spectra.