Synthesis and characterization of TiO2/ZnO/SiO2 nanocomposite using pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquids via sol-gel-hydrothermal method for photocatalytic removal of Pb(II)ions

This study aims to synthesize TiO2 with precise particle morphology, a large surface area, a stable anatase phase at high temperatures, and enhanced catalytic activity in the visible light spectrum. TiO2 was combined with ZnO and SiO2 to form a TiO2/ZnO/SiO2 composite (TZS). A TiO2/ZnO/SiO2 composite (TZS) was synthesized via sol-gel-hydrothermal method at 180 degrees C for 24 h employing a water-pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquid mixture. XRD analysis confirmed anatase, zincite, and amorphous silica phases post-calcination at 450 degrees C. Compared to water alone, TZS synthesized with the water-ILs media exhibited higher surface area and narrower band gap energy. TG-DTA analysis confirmed anatase phase stability up to 1000 degrees C. SEM and TEM images showed TZS particles synthesized using water as spherical, while the water-ILs mixture produced nanocoral, nanorod, and nanocubic morphologies. In photocatalysis, TZS synthesized with water-ILs removed Pb(II) ions by 99.98 %, surpassing water-synthesized TZS at 95.49 % indicating superior photocatalytic of TZS synthesized with waterILs.