Effects of Cu substitution on photocatalytic performance of ZnO nanorods synthesised via hydrothermal route for the degradation of chlorobenzene

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the present study, photocatalytic material ZnO nanorod and 20%Cu-substituted ZnO nanorod synthesised via hydrothermal route by using Zn(NO3)2.6 H2O and CuCl2.2 H2O as the source of zinc and copper, respectively. Cu present in 20%Cu-substituted ZnO NRs photocatalytic material led to reducing in the band gap of pure ZnO and enhanced the efficiency of photocatalytic material. Sample purity and crystallinity were investigated by XRD study. The surface study and extent of doping were examined by the SEM-EDX analysis.20%Cu-substituted ZnO NRs showed enriched degradation efficiency of 100 ppm chlorobenzene solution than ZnO NRs at pH 5 in 120 min under visible light.