Hierarchically Nanostructured ZnO with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

Hierarchical nanostructures of ZnO are integrated architectures comprising well-ordered nanoscale subunits and excellent photocatalytic properties. In this study, synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using methods such as co-precipitation, hydrothermal, thermal decomposition, and electrochemical precipitation yielded microsphere, nanorod, pyramid, and nanopetal-like morphologies, respectively. The catalysts obtained were characterized using XRD, IR, SEM-EDX, UVDRS, TGA, PL, and Zeta potential analysis. The XRD spectra confirmed that all the different morphologies of ZnO have hexagonal wurtzite structures The photocatalytic activity of these nanostructures was determined using a dye degradation study on a model pollutant Methylene Blue (MB) under simulated visible light. The kinetic study of the dye degradation reveals that it obeys pseudo-first-order kinetics with a maximum rate constant of 0.01503 min(-1). The nanorod structured ZnO particles prepared by the hydrothermal method showed the best catalytic activity. (C) 2021 The Electrochemical Society (ECS). Published on behalf of ECS by IOP Publishing Limited.

Automated summary

Hierarchical nanostructures of ZnO with different morphologies were successfully synthesized through various methods, and the nanorods prepared by the hydrothermal method exhibited the best catalytic activity in dye degradation studies.