Synthesis of photocatalytic pore size-tuned ZnO molecular foams

Abstract

The safe and efficient removal of organic micropollutants, such as pesticides, drugs or caffeine from wastewater remains a major technological challenge. Here, the synthesis of self-supporting, free-standing photocatalytic ZnO foams...

Increased photocorrosion resistance of ZnO foams via transition metal doping

“…It is well-known that highly faceted crystal structures tend to be more photocatalytically active. 21 As such, the smooth crystals obtained with copper doping (Fig. 3d) could explain the lower photocatalytic activity of these samples.…”

“…Synthesis of doped foams Zn 1−x M x O Doped ZnO foams were synthesised using a modied method from previous work. 21 Briey, M 2+ (AcAc) 2 (15.0 mmol) was added to a 25 mL Pyrex beaker with M 2+ (AcAc) 2 being a combination of Zn(AcAc) 2 and the acetylacetonate salt of the dopant metal (Co, Ni, Cu), such that the total molarity of metal salt in the reaction solution was kept constant at 15 mmol. Exact masses and molar quantities are shown in Table 1.…”

“…31,32 The photocatalytic activity of the MolFoams was investigated by analysing the degradation of carbamazepine in a recirculating ow reactor operated at a previously optimized owrate of 250 mL min −1 . 21 In the absence of irradiation, removal of carbamazepine via adsorption was found to be negligible. When the reactors were operated without MolFoam, the degradation due to photolysis was found to be minimal (9%) aer 2 hours of irradiation.…”

“…19,20 MolFoams, or Molecular Foams, is the term used to describe foams produced using the synthetic method herein and developed previously. 21 Through the use of a sol-gel synthesis with controlled incorporation of air to produce a porous structure which is then sintered to produce a singular interconnected foam structure made of metal oxide without the presence of discrete particles.…”

Enhanced photocatalytic activity in ZnO nanoparticles developed using novel Lepidagathis ananthapuramensis leaf extract

“…Among various metal oxides, ZnO and TiO 2 NPs are studied the most due to their non-toxic nature, cost effectiveness, chemical stability and inertness, ecofriendliness, potential photocatalytic efficiency, etc. 13,14 . Even though both are effectively used, ZnO NPs are generally a better candidate for photocatalytic degradation of pollutants because of their high stability, non-toxicity, 15 single oxidation state, natural abundance, suitable band gap 16 and better biocompatibility.…”