Abstract
In this paper, silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by using a solution combustion technique, in which zinc nitrate is used as an oxidizer and tartaric acid as a fuel. The phase composition, morphology and structural properties of the as-synthesized zinc oxide and silver-doped zinc oxide were established by using powdered X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies. Due to well-defined morphologies and crystallinity, the pure zinc oxide and silver-doped zinc oxide nanostructures can be used as efficient chemical sensors for the detection of p-nitrophenol (PNP). ZnO was found to show a low value of the limit of detection (LOD), i.e., 2.175 µM/L, for p-nitrophenol sensing; moreover, a sharp decrease in the limit of detection was observed with an increase in the concentration of silver ions, and the LOD value decreased to 0.669 µM/L for 10 mol % silver-doped zinc oxide. It is therefore concluded that Ag-doped ZnO shows a lower limit of detection as compared to pure ZnO for p-nitrophenol sensing.
Highlights
Rapid industrialization and various anthropogenic activities have led to the discharge of various types of toxic chemicals, which contaminate the environment and adversely affect the ecosystem.Among various toxic chemicals, the nitrophenols and organic dyes are the most emerging environmental pollutants
PNP is very stable in the environment under normal conditions and is a highly toxic chemical that leads to bioaccumulation as well as cytotoxic/carcinogenic effects on living organisms [4,5]; due to all these reasons, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has considered
Among the various transition metals, Ag ions have become the interest of many research groups [27,28], because of their suitable band gap, as they reduces the electron hole recombination and result in improvement in the photocatalytic properties, as well as proving to be an effective sensor material for toxic chemicals [29]
Summary
Rapid industrialization and various anthropogenic activities have led to the discharge of various types of toxic chemicals, which contaminate the environment and adversely affect the ecosystem. PNP is considered as the root cause of different problems such as irritation and inflammation in the eyes and nose, respiratory tract disorders, cardiac disorders, hematological problems, digestive problems, musculoskeletal issues, renal disease, and dermal/ocular problems in living organisms It reacts with blood and leads to the formation of methemoglobin, which is mainly responsible for cyanosis confusion and unconsciousness [5,7]. Among the various transition metals, Ag ions have become the interest of many research groups [27,28], because of their suitable band gap, as they reduces the electron hole recombination and result in improvement in the photocatalytic properties, as well as proving to be an effective sensor material for toxic chemicals [29].
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