Synthesis of mesoporous zirconium manganese mixed metal oxide nanowires for photocatalytic reduction of CO2

A facile hydrothermal route was successfully adopted for the synthesis of novel mixed zirconium manganese oxide (ZrO2-Mn3O4) nanowires with the help of surfactant. The synthesized sample was analyzed by powder XRD, ED-XRF, SEM, FTIR, UV-visible, and XPS analysis. The XRD analysis confirmed the formation of mixed zirconium manganese oxide (ZrO2-Mn3O4) nanowires. ED-XRF analysis provided the chemical composition of the material. The surface properties of the zirconium manganese oxide nanowires were studied by XPS analysis. The pore size distribution and pore volume measurements carried out by gas sorption method confirmed the formation of single pore in nanowires. These nanowires were successfully utilized for the photo reduction of CO2 through water as a solvent under UV light. The nanowires exhibited an average photocatalytic reduction CO2 into CH4 (1.46 mu mol g(-1) h(-1)) which is higher than commercial photocatalysts.