A comparative study of 0D and 1D Ce-ZnO nanocatalysts in photocatalytic decomposition of organic pollutants. Issue 57 (9th November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Luu, Thi Viet Ha; Nguyen, Quang Bac; Dao, Ngoc Nhiem; Luu, Minh Dai; Doan, Van Dat; Pham, Ngoc Chuc; Duong, Thi Lim; Pham, Ngo Nghia
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 11:Issue 57(2021)
• Page Start: 36078
• Page End: 36088
• Publication Date: 2021-11-09
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d1ra07493h
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Ce doped ZnO nano-catalysts were synthesized by two different methods i.e., hydrothermal and polymer gel combustion method, to compare their photodegradation efficiency. Abstract : Nanosized zinc oxide is an intriguing material that can be applied in various fields. In this study, Ce doped ZnO nano-catalysts (Ce-ZnO) were synthesized by two different methods ( i.e., hydrothermal (Ce-ZnO-HT) and polymer gel combustion (Ce-ZnO-CB) methods) to compare their photodegradation efficiency. The prepared material characteristics were investigated using XRD, SEM, TEM, FTIR, UV-Vis, PL, XPS, EDS, and BET. The bandgap of both nanoparticles (NPs) was 2.95 eV, despite the fact that the morphology of Ce-ZnO-HT NPs was 1D-rod-shaped and that of Ce-ZnO-CB NPs was 0D-spherical. However, the surface area and oxygen vacancy rate of Ce-ZnO-HT NPs were higher than those of Ce-ZnO-CB NPs. These differences are directly related to the photocatalytic activity of Ce-ZnO NPs. Accordingly, the results showed that photocatalytic efficiency was classified in the order Ce-ZnO-HT > Ce-ZnO-CB > pure ZnO, and the photocatalytic reaction rate constant of Ce-ZnO-HT used to decompose MB was 3.0 times higher than that of Ce-ZnO-CB. Interestingly, the photodegradation mechanism study revealed that hydroxyl radicals and holes were shown to be more important contributors to methyl blue degradation than photo-induced electrons and superoxide radical ions.