Simple synthesis, characterization and investigation of photocatalytic properties of ZrO2 nanostructures

ZrO2 nanostructures have been successfully prepared through simple chemical approach. ZrO2 nanostructures were prepared by applying of ZrO(NO3)2.6H2O and triethylenetetramine as starting materials. Triethylenetetramine was utilized as precipitator and capping agent to synthesize ZrO2 nanostructures. The ZrO2 samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The obtained results illustrated that employing of this precipitator is appropriate choice for synthesis of nanostructured ZrO2 with very uniform spherical shape. The photocatalytic behavior of as-synthesized nanostructured ZrO2 was also examined by degradation of erythrosine as organic pollutant under ultraviolet light