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.