Synthesis, Characterization and Photocatalytic Activity of Mg-Impregnated ZnO–SnO_2 Coupled Nanoparticles

摘要

ZnO–SnO_2 nanoparticles were prepared by coprecipitation method; then Mg, with different molar ratios and calcination temperatures, was loaded on the coupled nanoparticles by impregnation method. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and Brunauer– Emmett–Teller (BET) techniques. Based on XRD results, the ZnO–SnO_2 and Mg/ZnO–SnO_2 nanoparticles were made of ZnO and SnO_2 nanocrystallites. According to DRS spectra, the band gap energy value of 3.13 and 3.18 eV were obtained for ZnO–SnO_2 and Mg/ZnO–SnO_2 nanoparticles, respectively. BET analysis revealed a Type III isotherm with a microporous structure and surface area of 32.051 and 49.065 m~2 g~(-1) for ZnO–SnO_2 and Mg/ZnO–SnO_2, respectively. Also, the spherical shape of nanocrystallites was deduced from TEM and FESEM images. The photocatalytic performance of pure ZnO–SnO_2 and Mg/ZnO–SnO_2 was analyzed in the photocatalytic removal of methyl orange (MO). The results indicated that Mg/ZnO–SnO_2 exhibited superior photocatalytic activity to bare ZnO–SnO_2 photocatalyst due to high surface area, increased MO adsorption and larger band gap energy. Maximum photocatalytic activity of Mg/ZnO–SnO_2 nanoparticles was obtained with 0.8 mol% Mg and calcination temperature of 350°C.