Facile synthetic route of TiO2–ZnO heteronanostructure coated by oxovanadium (IV) bis-Schiff base complex as a potential effective homogeneous/heterogeneous catalysts for alcohols redox systems

Oxovanadium (IV) bis-Schiff base complex was synthesized by a facile complexation of 2 molar ratio of 2‑hydroxy-Schiff base ligand (HL) with 1 molar ratio of VO2+ ion giving mononuclear VOL2 complex with a square pyramidal geometry. The structure conformation of HL and its corresponding VOL2 complex was assigned within various spectroscopic tools (IR, UV–vis. Mass spectra), as well as the elemental analyses (EA). The deprotonated 4-OH group in VOL2 caused a successful coating of VOL2 on a mixed oxides of TiO2–ZnO nanoparticles awarding nanocomposite of TiO2–ZnO@VOL2. By applying alternative analytical techniques, the surface morphology and internal structure TiO2–ZnO@VOL2 nanocomposites were investigated compared to that of TiO2–ZnO, i.e. by XRD, FESEM, HR-TEM, EDS and IR spectra), and also with TGA and BET (adsorption–desorption isotherm).