Preparation of Ag-sensitized ZnO and its photocatalytic performance under simulated solar light

Abstract

ZnO was prepared rapidly by microwave heating method. The results of scanning electron microscopy show that the leaflike ZnO is composed of self-assembled ZnO particles of 30-50 nm. Ag-sensitized ZnO composite was prepared by UV-photoreduction and glycol reduction, respectively. The composite was characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence. The ZnO and Ag/ZnO prepared were applied in photocatalytic degradation of phenol and methyl orange as model of organic pollutant in water under simulated solar light. The results show that Ag doping in both methods of UV-photoreduction and glycol reduction can remarkably improve the photocatalytic activity of ZnO under simulated solar light. The utilization ratio of Ag in glycol reduction is high and the optimum content of Ag in Ag/ZnO composite is only 1.33%. Therefore, the glycol reduction is a novel and excellent method for preparing Ag-sensitized ZnO composite with high photocatalytic activity.

Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Reduced Graphene Oxide-Ce/ZnO Composites

“…, and Ag can improve the photocatalytic performance of semiconductor ZnO, for these can act as electron trapping agents to restrain electron hole recombination rate [15][16][17][18][19]. Among doped nanostructures, great efforts have been made to explore for potential applications in various fields due to the miscellaneous properties of Ce/ZnO nanostructures [20][21][22][23][24][25][26].…”

Effect of Ag, pH, and time on the preparation of Ag-functionalized zinc oxide nanoagglomerates as photocatalysts

“…The experimental range was based on published reports [19,20]. After running a total of 20 experiments, including 5 replicates at the center point, a second-order (quadratic) model was used to fit the experimental data that express the functionalization efficiency as a function of independent variables, Eq.…”

Surface modification and immobilization in poly(acrylic acid) of Ag/ZnO for photocatalytic degradation of endocrine‐disrupting compounds

“…In addition, attempts have also been made to design ZnO photocatalysts with effective charge separation and storage of the photoexcited charges. Recently, it has been shown that loading of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on ZnO surface can reduce photocorrosion, improve absorption of visible light, and increase the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO.…”