Low-temperature synthesis of ZnO quantum dots for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye under UV irradiation

ZnO quantum dots were synthesized by a facile low-temperature solution process. The detailed structural characterizations revealed that the prepared nanoparticles were spherical in shape and possessed high crystallinity. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO quantum dots was examined for the use in the degradation of methyl orange dye, and exhibited high efficiency in decomposition of methyl orange (97% within 160 min) under UV irradiation. This excellent photocatalytic property was attributed to high crystalline quality of ZnO quantum dots that produced reactive species to decompose the dye on the catalyst surface. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.