Pure ZrO2 and with incorporated Si4+ ions were synthesized by hydrothermal method with high active surfaces.
Incorporation of Si4+ ions stabilized tetragonal phase while pure zirconia had monoclinic crystalline phase.
Optical properties revealed presence of oxygen vacancies and other intraband states in all materials, with Ebg from 5 to 3.8 eV.
All zirconia powders were successfully used for photodegradation of TCP using simulated solar light, ZrO2 with Si ions were better than Degussa.
Superoxide radicals that can be formed at the zirconia surface are, most probably, responsible for their photoefficacy.