Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles from Waste Zn-C Battery via Thermal Route: Characterization and Properties

Rifat Farzana,Pravas Behera,Veena Sahajwalla,Kamrul Hassan,Ravindra Rajarao

doi:10.3390/nano8090717

Abstract

Disposable batteries are becoming the primary sources of powering day-to-day gadgets and consequently contributing to e-waste generation. The emerging e-waste worldwide is creating concern regarding environmental and health issues. Therefore, a sustainable recycling approach of spent batteries has become a critical focus. This study reports the detail characterization and properties of ZnO nanoparticles recovered from spent Zn-C batteries via a facile thermal synthesis route. ZnO nanoparticles are used in many applications including energy storage, gas sensors, optoelectronics, etc. due to the exceptional physical and optical properties. A thermal treatment at 900 °C under an inert atmosphere of argon was applied to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles from a spent Zn-C battery using a horizontal quartz tube furnace. X-ray diffraction (XRD), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results confirmed the formation of crystalline ZnO nanoparticles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis confirmed that the size of synthesised ZnO particles were less than 50 nm and mainly composed of sphere shaped nanoparticles. Synthesized ZnO exhibited BET surface area of 9.2629 m2/g and showed absorption of light in the UV region. Excitation of ZnO by UV light showed photoluminescence in the visible range. This study will create an opportunity for potential applications of ZnO nanoparticles from spent batteries and will benefit the environment by reducing the volume of e-waste in landfills.

Highlights

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a material of special interest due to its wide band gap of ~3.3 eV, n-type semiconducting properties, unique optical behaviour and excellent chemical and thermal stability [1]
This study focuses on the characterization and properties of synthesised ZnO nanoparticles via thermal nanosizing
Synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were spherical in shape and within 50 nm size

Summary

Introduction

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a material of special interest due to its wide band gap of ~3.3 eV, n-type semiconducting properties, unique optical behaviour and excellent chemical and thermal stability [1]. The properties of ZnO nanomaterials can be improved by doping, changing their size, shape, chemical composition and surface area [5,6]. Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles from waste sources could provide an attractive and sustainable solution for the future. Recovery of ZnO nanoparticles from spent Zn-C battery via a facile thermal route has the potential to provide economical and sustainable benefits.

Results

Conclusion