Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles by Tartaric Acid Solution Combustion and Their Photocatalytic Properties

Abstract

ZnO nanoparticles with different sizes were prepared by varying molar ratio of tartaric acid and zinc nitrate hexahydrate as fuel and oxidizer (F/O) at 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 (0.0000, 0.0025, 0.0050, and 0.0100 mol tartaric acid) by tartaric acid solution combustion method and followed by calcination at 600°C for 2 h. Effect of molar ratio of F/O on phase, morphology and photocatalytic activity of as-prepared ZnO samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In this research, all samples were composed of wurtzite hexagonal ZnO nanoparticles with different sizes controlled by the content of tartaric acid. The photocatalytic properties of samples were also investigated through photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV light irradiation. ZnO nanoparticles for F/O ratio of 1.00 show the highest photodegradation of MB under UV light irradiation.