Multilayer and open structure of dendritic crosslinked CeO 2 -ZrO 2 composite: Enhanced photocatalytic degradation and water splitting performance

Using polystyrene spheres and EO20PO70EO20 as double templates, a three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) CeO2-ZrO2 material was synthesized by the sol–gel method combined with the decompression filling method. The composition, structure, morphology, and surface physicochemical properties of the material were characterized by XRD, XPS, UV–vis/DRS, SEM, TEM, HR-TEM, and N2 adsorption–desorption measurements. The results show that the material has a good crystal structure with neat and ordered macroporous multilayered, open, and transparent structure and a clear shape of the dendritic crosslinking. Moreover, the walls of the material are formed by accumulating smaller particles, thus improving the light absorption efficiency. The unique morphology of 3DOM CeO2-ZrO2 significantly increased its activity during the multimode photocatalytic experiments. In the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution experiment, 3DOM CeO2-ZrO2 showed a stronger ability of water splitting into hydrogen. This indicates the dendritic crosslinked 3DOM CeO2-ZrO2 can simultaneously enhance the photodegradation and photolysis of water.