Abstract
In this work, a low-cost method to produce ZnO nanostructured materials for the treatment of water polluted with model organic pollutants (e.g. dyes) is presented. Zinc and silver-coated Zn (Ag/Zn) films, fabricated via sputtering method were naturally oxidized via a simple, low-temperature, scalable thermal process. During oxidation, Ag/ZnO nanorods were grown on Zn foils after treating their surface with various agents (e.g. acids) and annealing in an oven at temperatures 385-400 °C. The ZnO and Ag/ZnO films on Zn were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The cationic dye Methylene Blue (MB) was selected as model pollutant dissolved in water, and a batch photo-reactor was fabricated and used to to study the adsorption capacity and photocatalytic performance of films. The transient varation of MB concentration in aqueous solutions was measured with UV-Vis spectroscopy. Ag/ZnO demonstrated a strong MB adsorbion capacity in dark conditions, and a satisfactory MB photocatalytic degradation under UV light irradiation.The optimized doping of Ag in Ag/ZnO film enhanced its photocatalytic activity, and seems well-promising for the potential scale-up of Ag/ZnO films, and use in large-scale systems for water purification under UV light irradiation.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
