Structural, optical and surface properties of sol-gel-derived boron-doped ZnO films for photocatalytic applications

In this study, boron-doped ZnO films, which have almost been never used in the degradation of methylene blue organic dye insoluble in wastewater, were produced by sol-gel spin coating. The structural, optical and surface properties of the films were investigated in detail using X-ray diffraction patterns, spectroscopic ellipsometry, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, photoluminescence spectrometry, atomic force and field emission scanning electron microscopes. The crystallization level, grain size, natural point defects and surface texture significantly affected the photoactivities of the produced films. The boron doping process caused to the important improvement of the photoactivity and dye adsorption capacity of pure-ZnO films, as well as the enhancement of their potential usage in photovoltaic applications. Methylene blue was successfully degraded at a rate of 98% by using 6% boron-doped ZnO film as a photocatalyst. As a result, we suggest that boron doping process into ZnO films is an effective solution way for minimizing the factors that limit the potential use of pure-ZnO films in photocatalytic applications.

Automated summary

In this study, boron-doped ZnO films were produced by sol-gel spin coating. The properties of the films were investigated, and it was found that boron doping significantly improved the photoactivity and dye adsorption capacity of pure-ZnO films, making them more suitable for photovoltaic applications.