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ZnO, CeO2, TiO2, ZnO-CeO2(ZC), CeO2-TiO2, ZnO-TiO2(ZT) and ZnO-CeO2-TiO2(ZCT) powders were fabricated using a combustion synthesis (CS) method for applying to photo-degradation and decoloration of Methyl blue with them as catalysts. Ascorbic acid (C6H8O6) and nitrate were used as fuel and raw materials, respectively. The powder was obtained when the processing parameters were optimized. C6H8O6as fuel was used for the preparation of ZnO, CeO2, TiO2, ZC, CT, ZT and ZCT powders. The produced particles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the particle morphology, UV for absorbent properties, IR for purity of sample, and XRD for phase, particle size and crystallinity of the samples. In addition, these particles showed good photocatalytic and decolorizing activity, which provided an opportunity for these materials to be used for the degradation and decoloration of Methyl blue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(aniline-co-o-toluidine) encapsulated zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposite was prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization. The composition, morphology and structure of poly(Ani-co-oT)/ZnO nanocomposite were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). FTIR spectrum endorsed the formation of nanocomposite. TEM image showed that the ZnO nanoparticles were well dispersed in the copolymer matrix. XRD results revealed that the crystallinity of copolymer was more pronounced after the addition of ZnO. TGA results illustrated that the decomposition temperature of nanocomposite was higher than the pure copolymer. Electrical conductivity of the copolymer was increased by the addition ZnO. In addition, the photocatalytic reaction with illuminated nanocomposite can be effectively applied to treat wastewater contaminated with Cr(VI). The reduction pattern of Cr(VI) was better fit to first-order kinetic model. The nanocomposite was also applied as a photocatalyst for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]