Mosaic structure ZnO formed by secondary crystallization with enhanced photocatalytic performance

• Published in: International journal of minerals, metallurgy and materials Vol. 28; no. 3; pp. 495 - 502
• Main Authors: Liu, Hai-xia, Teng, Meng-yuan, Wei, Xu-guang, Li, Tian-duo, Jiang, Zai-yong, Niu, Qing-fen, Wang, Xu-ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing University of Science and Technology Beijing 01.03.2021; Springer Nature B.V; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering,School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering,Qilu University of Technology (Shan-dong Academy of Sciences),Jinan 250353,China%State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking,Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences),Jinan 250353,China%Advanced Materials Institute,Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences),Jinan 250014,China
• Subjects: Acids; Catalytic activity; Ceramics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Citric acid; Composites; Corrosion and Coatings; Crystal defects; Crystallization; Environmental impact; Glass; Light; Materials Science; Metallic Materials; Morphology; Natural Materials; Optical properties; Photocatalysis; Pollutants; Raw materials; Solar energy; Surfaces and Interfaces; Synthesis; Thin Films; Tribology; Zinc acetate; Zinc oxide; citric acid; photocatalysis; active crystal face; secondary crystallization
• ISSN: 1674-4799; 1869-103X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12613-020-2033-0

Zinc acetate is used as a raw material to synthesize the desired ZnO in hot solvent by controlling the amount of citric acid (CA) added. Notably, the amount of CA added has a significant relationship with the control of the morphology of ZnO. Spherical ZnO wrapped in nanosheets is synthesized through the secondary crystallization of Zn 2+ . The optical properties of the ZnO sample are tested through the degradation of organic pollutants. Notably, the photocatalytic properties of ZnO vary with the different amounts of CA added. Exposure of the active crystal face increases the photocatalytic activity of ZnO. In addition, the number of defects on the surface of the ZnO sample increases because of its large specific surface area, thus changing the bandgap of ZnO. Therefore, the resulting sample can respond under visible light.