Band gap modified zinc oxide nanoparticles: an efficient visible light active catalyst for wastewater treatment

The use of photocatalysis in wastewater treatment using low cost photocatalyst plays a vital role in thwarting the enigma of water pollution. In this work, we report synthesis of metal- and non-metal-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures via solid state, solvent and surfactant-free microwave-assisted thermal decomposition method. HRTEM images confirm the formation of highly crystalline nanorod morphology in the case of sodium-doped ZnO. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized samples initially assessed by the degradation of methylene blue under visible light illumination suggests that SZO-3 (15wt% Na-doped) with admirable degradation rate (95% in 180 min with apparent rate constant of 1.69 x 10(-2) min(-1)) and tenacious photostability envisages its potential applications in water treatment processes. The coalescence of ultrasound, visible light and catalyst resulted in augmented degradation (99.5%) in 60 min.

Automated summary

The synthesis of metal- and non-metal-doped zinc oxide nanostructures via microwave-assisted thermal decomposition method showed promising photocatalytic activity in degrading methylene blue under visible light. The sodium-doped ZnO with nanorod morphology exhibited high crystallinity. The study suggests the potential application of this photocatalyst in water treatment processes due to its admirable degradation rate and photostability.