Pd hybridizing ZnO/kaolinite nanocomposites: Synthesis, microstructure, and enhanced photocatalytic property

• Nano-ZnO was assembled onto kaolinite rods to form ZnO/kaolinite nanocomposite.
• ZnO/kaolinite was employed as substrate for the dispersion of Pd nanoparticles.
• Chemical binding existed between ZnO nanoparticles and kaolinite surface.
• Synergic effect contributed to the enhancement of photocatalytic activity.

A preparation strategy for constructing Pd-deposited ZnO/kaolinite was described in detail in this paper. Natural rod-like kaolinite served as a support to disperse ZnO nanoparticles through a thermal treatment. The ZnO nanoparticles were assembled on the surface of kaolinite rods to produce ZnO/kaolinite nanocomposites, which were then employed as a supporting material for the dispersion of Pd nanoparticles. The samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TEM, XPS, UV–vis spectroscopy, and photocatalytic property measurements. The results indicated that an obvious chemical binding existed between ZnO nanoparticles and the kaolinite surface. The shift of the binding energy of metallic Pd demonstrated a strong interaction between the metallic Pd and ZnO nanocrystals. The as-synthesized Pd–ZnO/kaolinite exhibited superior photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of methylene blue compared with Pd/ZnO, ZnO/kaolinite, and pure ZnO, which indicated that the hybridization of the metal, kaolinite rods, and semiconductor could provide enhanced photocatalytic activity through a synergistic effect.

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