Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic application of Pd/ZrO2 and Pt/ZrO2

Abstract

Zirconia-supported palladium (Pd/ZrO 2 ) and Zirconia-supported platinum (Pt/ZrO 2 ) nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized from their precursors via impregnation technique. The Pd/ZrO 2 and Pt/ZrO 2 NPs were analyzed via SEM and EDX, while the study of indigo disulfonate dye degradation was carried out by UV/VIS spectrophotometer. The SEM micrographs illustrated that the Pd and Pt NPs were well placed on ZrO 2 surface. The Pd/ZrO 2 and Pt/ZrO 2 NPs were also employed as photocatalysts for the photodegradation of indigo disulfonate in an aqueous medium under UV-light irradiation. The photodegradation study presented that Pd/ZrO 2 and Pt/ZrO 2 NPs degraded 96 and 94% of indigo disulfonate in 14 h, respectively. The effect of pH of medium and catalyst dosage and efficiency of recovered Pd/ZrO 2 and Pt/ZrO 2 NPs on the photocatalytic degradation were also studied. It was also found that the maximum degradation of dye was found at pH 10 (95–97%) and at 0.02 g weight (40.28%).