Synthesis and Characterization of Spongy-ZnO for Photocatalytic Application

Abstract

The use of nanostructured semiconductor for environmental issues has recently grabbed the attention of many eminent researchers. Photocatalysis via advance oxidation process helps in many of the global problems such as treatment of dye effluents, organic compounds, pathogens etc. ZnO is one such semiconductor inorganic material with an advantage of absorbing a large amount of solar spectrum in comparison to widely studied photocatalyst TiO2. Thus, in this research work, we have carried to synthesize spongy-ZnO nanopowders by a simple, rapid and novel solution-combustion process using citric acid as an organic fuel and zinc nitrate hexahydrate as oxidant. The process optimization is carried by varying the molar ratio of oxidant to fuel and analysed them analytically in respect of crystallinity, morphology, crystal structure and surface area. Structural confirmation of spongy-ZnO has been carried by FT-IR spectral method whereas band gap energy is determined by UV-DRS spectroscopy. The photoactivity of the synthesized powders has been studied by degrading a model dye, methyl violet. Zinc oxide is observed to show high catalytic efficiency under visible light irradiation.