ZnO-Ag based polymer composites as photocatalysts for highly efficient visible-light degradation of Methyl Orange

Hybrid polymer films loaded with zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc oxide associated to silver (ZnO-Ag) particles were synthesized and in-depth studied to explore their photocatalytic efficiency in the degradation of Methyl Orange (MO) in aqueous solution. The particles were obtained by the simple chemical precipitation method and investigated with regard to their structures and morphologies. The photopolymerization reaction was carried out by photoinitiator-assisted UV light irradiation of a mixture consisting of new acrylic monomers and synthesized particles in different formulations, when photo-crosslinked polymer films resulted. Different techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (ESEM/EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to confirm the purity, morphology and chemical composition of synthesized samples. The non-associated ZnO particles were obtained in form of rods with lengths of 400 nm and widths of 30 nm, while the ZnO associated to Ag particles resulted as rods agglomerated in ball-like shape (ZnO-Ag V1) or as miniflowers with diameters of about 2 3 mu m (ZnO-Ag V2). The synthesized composite materials were tested as photocatalysts in the degradation of MO dye dissolved in aqueous solution upon irradiation with simulated visible light. High photodegradation efficiency, of about 95 % was obtained in the case of the hybrid film loaded with 5 % ZnO-Ag particles. This was further supported by the solution color fading and total-organic carbon (TOC) analysis.

Automated summary

Hybrid polymer films loaded with zinc oxide (ZnO) and zinc oxide associated to silver (ZnO-Ag) particles were synthesized and tested for their photocatalytic efficiency in degrading Methyl Orange (MO) in aqueous solution. The high photodegradation efficiency of about 95% was achieved by the hybrid film loaded with 5% ZnO-Ag particles, as confirmed by solution color fading and total-organic carbon (TOC) analysis.