Abstract
In this work, we demonstrate the co-catalytic modification of ZnO films via the photodeposition of palladium (Pd) to enhance the photocatalytic degradation of doxycycline (DC). Pristine ZnO films were synthesized using a sol–gel method and deposited onto glass substrates via dip-coating. The films were subsequently modified with Pd through chemical photodeposition under UV light, which facilitated the photoreduction of an aqueous 5 × 10−3 M Pd2+ precursor. The influence of varying UV photodeposition doses (2.5, 5, and 10 J/cm2) on the morphology and chemical composition of the Pd-modified films was investigated to control Pd surface coverage and chemical state. Characterization techniques included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). At low UV doses (2.5 J/cm2), approximately 1.6 at.% of Pd was photodeposited, primarily as PdO, while higher UV doses (5–10 J/cm2) increased the metallic Pd0 content. The photocatalytic degradation of DC was evaluated in both distilled and tap water, where Pd/ZnO films demonstrated significantly higher removal efficiency (40–380% higher) than pristine ZnO films, with those containing higher Pd0 levels exhibiting the greatest activity. Across all samples, removal efficiency in tap water was approximately double that in distilled water.
Published Version
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