Noble metal modified (002)-oriented ZnO hollow spheres for the degradation of a broad range of pollutants

Abstract

Zinc oxide hollow spheres were fabricated by applying sucrose-derived carbon spheres as templates that were eliminated through calcination. For this purpose, two synthesis methods were examined and compared, chemical impregnation and solvothermal method. The most suitable ZnO hollow structure was selected for noble metal deposition (Au and Pt at 1 wt%) to further increase the photocatalytic activity. The photocatalytic activity was examined by the decomposition of three different model pollutants (phenol, Na-ibuprofen and diuron) under UV irradiation. The as-synthesized hollow sphere structures and its noble metal composites were further examined by XRD, SEM, IR, DRS, PL. The templates did not modify the structure of ZnO only the morphology and contributed to the preservation of the original structure during calcination. The structural, optical and photocatalytic activity was correlated with both the application of carbon sphere template, and noble metal deposition respective their role in the improvement of the photocatalytic activity.