Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO Nanoflakes

摘要

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoflakes have been prepared by solution combustion method using glycine and citric acid as fuel. The structure and morphology of the ZnO nanoflakes were investigated through X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectra (FTIR) and Energy Dispersion Spectra (EDS) techniques. The flakes like nature and hexagonal crystalline structure of the prepared ZnO nanoflakes were revealed from FESEM, HRTEM and XRD. From the UV-vis absorption spectra, the direct energy band gap is calculated to be 3.1 eV (ZG) and 3.25 eV (ZCA). The chemical composition of the prepared nano ZnO were discussed using FTIR and EDS. Photocatalytic activities of ZnO nanoflakes were also investigated and the apparent rate constant of this catalytic reaction for ZCA and ZG were found to be 0.014/min and 0.011/min respectively. The crystalline nature and the shape factor of the ZnO have been the main factor for the enhanced the photocatalytic activity.