Solution Combustion Synthesis of Pencil-Shaped ZnO Nanostructures and the Analysis of Their Photocatalytic Properties

ZnO is an important semiconductor material with different morphological features suitable for various functional applications. This work showcases an easy method to synthesize morphologically pencil like nano ZnO structures having hexagonal bottom-neck and pyramidal top notch by self propagating solution combustion synthesis. The growth of the pencil like ZnO structure was achieved by controlling the pH of the precursor solution for the combustion synthesis with the addition of an adequate quantity of ammonia solution. Pencil like ZnO structures were characterised with XRD, FESEM, FTIR, Raman and XPS measurements. ZnO with pencil like structure were showing about 98% of degradation efficiency of Methelene Blue (MB). The enhanced photocatalytic and electrochemical properties were attributed to the combined effect of specific morphology of ZnO and the presence of amorphous carbon in the sample.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates an easy method for synthesizing nano ZnO structures with a specific morphology using self propagating solution combustion synthesis. The growth of pencil-like ZnO structures was controlled by pH adjustment and the addition of ammonia solution. The resulting ZnO structures showed high degradation efficiency and enhanced photocatalytic and electrochemical properties.