TiO2/SiO2 composite for efficient protection of UVA and UVB rays through of a solvent-less synthesis

In an effort to discover new inorganic UV absorbers, titania included into silica was prepared using a solvent-less solid state method involving the pyrolysis of the as prepared precursor Chitosan·(TiOSO4)/SiO2, as an alternative and versatile way to using these compounds for practical applications. The new TiO2/SiO2 composite was characterized by PXRD, SEM–EDS, TEM and UV–Vis absorption analysis. The SEM–EDS mapping images show a uniform distribution of TiO2 into the silica matrix. The optical properties of the composite have shown an interesting result related to high absorption of UVB rays and an improved absorption of UVA rays than pure TiO2. Efficient suppression of photocatalytic behavior of TiO2, when is incorporated into silica, was evidenced from 85 to 31%, suggesting it material as alternative inorganic UV absorber to remains the properties of the methylene blue dye. These results reveal their potential use in practical textile industry and UV protection agent to avoid human damage.The authors acknowledge FONDECYT Projects 1120179, 1160241 for financial support. This research has also received funding from Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain under Grant I-COOP LIGHT 2015CD0013. The use of Servicio General de Apoyo a las Investigación (SAI, University of Zaragoza) is also acknowledged. LBP wants to thanks Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile through Project 391354181 and Millennium Science Initiative of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism, Chile, grant Nuclei on Catalytic Processes towards Sustainable Chemistry (CSC) for financial support.Peer reviewe