Morphology and performance of ZnO nanoparticulate for photocatalysis

Abstract

Nanoparticulate ZnO materials were synthesized utilizing the sol-gel technique. The structural configuration of these materials was changed because of varying sodium hydroxide concentrations. The obtained nanoparticulate ZnO materials exhibit a single-phase composition and manifest diverse appearances, including nanoparticles, hexagonal prisms, and nanoflakes. These materials effectively display photocatalytic activity when exposed to UV light. Considering that industrial wastewater can deviate from a neutral pH, comprehending how pH impacts degradation rates is crucial and should be taken into account. To explore the ramifications of pH on nanoparticulate ZnO, the study examines the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye across distinct pH values. Notably, the adherence of dyes to the surface of nanoparticulate ZnO is markedly contingent on both the morphology of the nanoparticulate ZnO and the pH level of the solution. This intricate interplay significantly influences the process of photocatalytic degradation. The most noteworthy photocatalytic performance is attributed to ZnO nanoflakes, which attain a remarkable maximum degradation efficiency of 100% at pH10 within 40 min.