Abstract: Nano-sized ZnO/γ-Al₂O₃composites with different ZnO loadings were prepared by homogeneous precipitation method and with γ-Al₂O₃was employed as supporter.Structure,surface morphology,composition,and specific surface area of composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM),FT-IR,and N₂ adsorption.Photocatalytic performance of composites were appraised using nonylphenyl poly(oxyethylene)ether (NPE-10) and phenol as model pollutants.Result indicated that ZnO was successfully loaded on the surface of γ-Al₂O₃.When the mass ratio of ZnO to γ-Al₂O₃was 2∶1,ZnO thin films were uniformly immobilized on the surface of γ-Al₂O₃,and the photocatalytic performance of ZnO/γ-Al₂O₃ composite which was prepared under these conditions and the effect of initial NPE-10 and phenol concentration on the degradation rate were investigated.It was found that the degradation rate of NPE-10 and phenol reached 93% and 20%,respectively,when they were irradiated by the ultraviolet light for 2 h,and their degradation rates were decreasing with the initial concentration enhancement. 

Key words: zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, nonylphenyl poly(oxyethylene)ether, phenol, photocatalysis