Nd2Zr2O7-Nd2O3 nanocomposites: New facile synthesis, characterization and investigation of photocatalytic behaviour

Nd2Zr2O7-Nd2O3 nanocomposites have been synthesized through a simple modified Pechini approach using salicylic acid as novel complexing agent and propylene glycol as new cross-linking agent. The effect of various basic agents and space-filling templates on the morphology and size of the Nd2Zr2O7-Nd2O3 nanocomposites were studied. The results revealed that altering these preparation factors could be effective in grain size and shape control. [Display omitted] •Nd2Zr2O7-Nd2O3 nanocomposites were prepared by facile modified Pechini approach.•Salicylic acid as novel complexing agent and propylene glycol as new cross-linking agent were used.•The effect of various basic agents and space-filling templates on the morphology and size were studied.•The photocatalytic activity of as-obtained nanocomposites was tested by using erythrosine solution.