Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) powders have been prepared by solution combustion synthesis method using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as fuel. The effects of fuel to oxidant ratios (ϕ = 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 1.5) on the combustion behavior, phase evolution, microstructure, optical properties and photocatalytic performance were investigated by thermal analysis, X-ray diffractometry, electron microscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectrometry techniques. The slow decomposition rate of CTAB guaranteed the direct formation of single phase and well-crystalline ZnO powders regardless of fuel content. The specific surface area of the as-combusted ZnO powders with platelet particles increased from 21 ± 1 to 35 ± 2 m2/g with fuel content. The band gap energy also increased from 2.99 to 3.13 eV due to the decrease of particle size. The as-combusted ZnO powders at ϕ = 1.5 exhibited the highest photodegradation (~69%) of methylene blue under ultraviolet light irradiation, due to their good crystallinity and smaller particle size.
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.
