Visible light-sensitive MnO2- and CeO2-loaded ZrO2/carbon cluster/Pt nanocomposite materials

Nano-sized ZrO2/carbon cluster composite materials (Ic’s) were successfully prepared by the calcination of ZrOCl2/starch complex I. Ic’s were found to reduce methylene blue under the irradiation of visible light (λ > 460 nm). The materials obtained by calcining at 400 and 500 °C were selectively loaded with Pt particles to obtain Pt-loaded ZrO2/carbon cluster composite materials denoted as Ic400Pt and Ic500Pt, respectively. In addition, the resultant materials were modified with MnO2 and CeO2 particles to achieve MnO2- and CeO2-loaded ZrO2/carbon cluster/Pt composite materials denoted as Ic400PtMn, Ic500PtMn, Ic400PtCe and Ic500PtCe, respectively. The metal oxides-loaded ZrO2/carbon cluster/Pt composite materials thus synthesized could decompose an aqueous silver nitrate solution by visible light irradiation to give Ag and O2 with the [Ag]/[O2] ratios of ca. 4. Visible light-irradiated water splitting examinations with Ic400PtMn and Ic400PtCe were also investigated and found to yield H2 and O2 with the [H2]/[O2] ratios of ca. 2.

► Nano-sized ZrO2/carbon cluster composite materials have been synthesized.
► The surface of the composite was modified with MnO2, CeO2 and Pt particles.
► The composite shows the photo-catalytic activity under visible light irradiation.