Synthesis of TiO2 and ZrO2 nanomaterials for the degradation of nerve agent simulants
TiO2 and ZrO2 nanomaterials were successfully synthesized by sol gel method. Samples were characterized by X-ray difraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), N2 adsorption–desorption, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), SEM images and TEM images of TiO2 and ZrO2 samples showed the particle size of 10–20 nm. The results have revealed highly porous structure of ZrO2 and TiO2 nanomaterials with specific surface area of 116 m2g-1 and 125 m2g-1, respectively. The TiO2 and ZrO2 materials were used as the degradation of dimethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP) chemical warfare agent emulator. The ZrO2 nanomaterial exhibited highly catalytic performance of DMNP degradation and the conversion reached to the value of 90.64 %, after 120 min of reaction.