Abstract

The successful use of nanoparticulate ZnO in applications such as UV-screening agents or photocatalyst for the destruction of chemical waste requires the development of techniques for controlling its photocatalytic activity. In this study, we have investigated transition metal doping as a means of achieving this goal. Powders of ZnO, Mn x Zn 1− x O, and Co x Zn 1− x O were synthesised by a three-stage process consisting of high-energy mechanical milling, heat treatment, and washing. The photocatalytic activity of these powders was evaluated using the spin-trapping technique with electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. It was found that the photocatalytic activity of Co x Zn 1− x O progressively decreased with the doping level. In contrast, the activity of Mn x Zn 1− x O initially increased with doping up to a level of 2 mol% and thereafter declined. These results demonstrate that doping with transition metal oxides can be used to tailor the photocatalytic properties of nanoparticulate ZnO.

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