Experimental statistic design applied for obtaining Zn:xCe by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method with photocatalytic property

Y F Gomes,F V Motta,C A Paskocimas,M R D Bomio,R M Nascimento,A K Freitas

doi:10.1007/s40145-015-0178-5

Abstract

In this study, the nanostructures of pure ZnO and ZnO:xCe3+ were prepared using statistic design—factorial design 3(3−1)−3-level and mixed-level factorials and fractional with replicates in the central point, totaling 11 experiments. The experiments were performed using the microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method with Ce3+ concentration of 2 and 4 mol% at 60, 110, and 160 °C for 10, 20, and 30 min. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical diffuse reflectance were used to characterize the products. The fractional factorial design indicated the optimal design area, and the studies were continued by ridge analysis. The analysis of variance (ANOVA), the Pareto, and the model adjusted to the conditions proposed in this study due to the determination coefficient of 99.9%, variance (R 2), and response surface generated were satisfactory, thus having an optimization in the process of obtaining ZnO doped with Ce.

Highlights

Doping ZnO nanostructures is of great interest for a variety of practical applications, especially doping with rare earth elements [1]
Several routes for the preparation of ZnO nanostructures doped with rare earth elements have been reported, including hydrothermal method, magnetron sputter deposition, pulsed laser deposition, photolithography, and wet chemical etching
As observed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pareto, the best interactions are the conditions studied in this process given by the relationship between doping and temperature and doping and time

Summary

Introduction

Doping ZnO nanostructures is of great interest for a variety of practical applications, especially doping with rare earth elements [1]. The nanostructures doped with rare earth elements such as Ce, Y, and I are getting a lot of attention due to their optical properties. Several routes for the preparation of ZnO nanostructures doped with rare earth elements have been reported, including hydrothermal method, magnetron sputter deposition, pulsed laser deposition, photolithography, and wet chemical etching. Microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method is more advantageous because of its easy operation, low cost, lower temperature, and greater control of morphology [9]. This is the method used in this study along with the statistical design in order to optimize the process of synthesis. Statistical design of experiments has been increasingly employed by engineers and researchers for screening out main effects and www.springer.com/journal/40145

Methods

Results

Conclusion