Synthesis of ZnO microcrystals and their photocatalytic ability in the degradation of textile azo dyes

Abstract

Flower and broken sheet-like zinc oxide (ZnO) microcrystals have been prepared via a thermal decomposition process, using Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 as the precursor in the presence of glycerol at 300 and 600 °C. The ZnO products were examined as a photocatalyst for the UV-induced degradation of Yellow 181 and Red 245 (textile azo dyes) in water solution. The applicability of the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic equation revealed that the degradation of dyes occurred mainly on the surface of the photocatalyst.