| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1506711 | Solid State Sciences | 2008 | 5 Pages |
Fine-particle rare-earth metal zirconates Ln2Zr2O7 (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Dy, Er) with cubic structure were prepared by stearic acid method. Zirconium nitrate and rare-earth nitrate were as raw materials, and stearic acid was used as solvent and dispersant. The as-prepared Ln2Zr2O7 nanocrystals were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TEM and HRTEM. The results showed that the preparation temperature was lowered (from 1500 °C to 800 °C) and the reaction time was shortened (from at least 10 h to 5 h) by stearic acid method, compared with transitional solid-state method. The photocatalytic activity of Ln2Zr2O7 nanocrystals was evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. With the increase of the atomic number, the photocatalytic activity trend of obtained Ln2Zr2O7 (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Dy, Er) nanocrystals was in agreement with the change trend of magnetic moment of the rare-earth metal ion. The photoactivity of Ln2Zr2O7 was strongly dependent on Ln, decreasing in the sequence of Dy > Nd > Er > Sm > La.
Graphical abstract Fine-particle Ln2Zr2O7 (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Dy, Er) with cubic structure were prepared by stearic acid method at relatively low temperature.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide
