Electronic behavior of visible light sensitive ZrO2/Cr2O3/carbon clusters composite materials

Nano-sized ZrO2/Cr2O3/carbon clusters composite materials were successfully obtained by the microwave-irradiated calcinations of a Zr(acac)4/Cr(acac)3/epoxy resin complex. The compositions of the resulting composite materials were determined using ICP, elemental analysis and surface characterization by XRD, SEM and TEM. The UV-Vis spectra of the composites were also obtained. ESR spectral examinations of the composites indicate that an electron transfer takes place in the process Cr2O3 → carbon clusters → ZrO2. The composite materials have been found to show visible light-responsive catalytic activities.