Crystallization of Zr0.1Ti0.9On mixed oxide by pressurized hot water and its effect on microstructural properties and photoactivity

Abstract Pressurized hot water crystallization was applied and optimized for preparation of photoactive Zr 0.1 Ti 0.9 O n mixed oxide. The effect of individual processing conditions (temperature, pressure and water amount) on (micro)structure, textural, optical, electronic and photocatalytic properties in Acid orange 7 photodegradation of prepared Zr 0.1 Ti 0.9 O n mixed oxide was examined. It was revealed that while the processing temperature had crucial effect on crystallization of Zr 0.1 Ti 0.9 O n mixed oxide and anatase crystallites growth, the volume of water and pressure did not show any effect. Nevertheless, it was found that pressure as well as temperature had strong influence on formation of anatase lattice defects of different type and amount and led to changes in mixed oxide photoactivity. The optimal processing conditions leading to the most photoactive Zr 0.1 Ti 0.9 O n mixed oxide were determined to be 2L of water, 250 °C and 10 MPa.