Abstract
Ag and Ni/ZnO photocatalyst nanostructures were successfully synthesized by a sol–gel method. In this work, the photocatalyst sample was systematically studied based on several factors affecting the performance of photocatalyst, which are size, morphology, band gap, textural properties and the number of active sites presence on the surface of the nanocatalyst. X-ray diffraction revealed that Ag/ZnO nanomaterials experienced multiple phases, meanwhile for Ni/ZnO the phase of nanomaterials were pure and single phase for stoichiometry less than 5%. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) showed almost all of the synthesized nanomaterials possessed a mixture of nanorods and spherical-like shape morphology. The Ag/ZnO showed high photocatalytic activity, producing at least 14th trials of nanocatalyst reusability on degradation of methyl orange under UV irradiation. Interestingly, this phenomenon was not observed in larger surface area of Ni/ZnO nanomaterials which supposedly favour photocatalytic activity, but instead producing poor photocatalytic performance. The main reasons were studied and exposed by temperature-programmed desorption of carbon dioxide (TPD–CO2) which showed that incorporation of Ag into ZnO lattice has enhanced the number of active sites on the surface of the nanocatalyst. Whereas incorporation of Ni in ZnO has lowered the number of active sites with respect to undoped ZnO. Active sites measurement is effective and significant, providing opportunities in developing an intensive study as an additional factor.
Highlights
Photocatalysis refers to the process that uses light irradiation to activate catalyst in order to initiate chemical reaction
Extensive studies on photocatalysis work have covered a range of aspects, including the introduction of photocatalyst, ways of enhancing photodegradation efficiency, essential variables associated with photocatalytic efficiency, as well as advancement and photocorrosion [1]
Synthesis using modified sol–gel method was performed on Ag and Ni/zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials from varying stoichiometry values (x = 1%, 3%, 5%, 7% and 10%)
Summary
Photocatalysis refers to the process that uses light irradiation to activate catalyst in order to initiate chemical reaction. Extensive studies on photocatalysis work have covered a range of aspects, including the introduction of photocatalyst, ways of enhancing photodegradation efficiency, essential variables associated with photocatalytic efficiency, as well as advancement and photocorrosion [1]. This large scope has a counterbalance on environmental security as photocatalysis offers a general solution to address the pressing water pollution issue [2]. Yuan et al discussed that active species scavengers influenced photogenerated holes and OH radical which play an important role in photocatalysis [29] In regard to these conditions, it is very crucial to investigate the number of active sites present in the surface of nanomaterials. The investigation of photodegradation was performed under UV-light irradiation
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