Microwave synthesis of porous ZnGaNO solid solution for improved visible light photocatalytic performance

• Published in: Solid state sciences Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. 465 - 470
• Main Authors: Yang, Ming, Huang, Qiao, Jin, Xiaoqi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Issy-les-Moulineaux Elsevier Masson SAS 01.04.2012; Elsevier Masson
• Subjects: Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Growth from solutions; Inorganic compounds; Materials science; Methods of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth; Microwave; Photocatalysis; Physics; Porous; Porous materials; granular materials; Specific materials; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Structure of specific crystalline solids; Theory and models of crystal growth; physics of crystal growth, crystal morphology and orientation; ZnGaNO; Microwave; ZnGaNO; Photocatalysis; Porous; Catalysts; Porous materials; Iron; X-ray reflection; XRD; Alcohols; Surface structure; Visible radiation; Adsorption structure; Crystal growth from solutions; Photochemical degradation; Scanning electron microscopy; High resolution electron microscopy; Phase transformations; Microwave radiation; Diffuse reflection; Dispersive spectrometry; Field emission electron microscopy; Sorption; Transmission electron microscopy; Solid solutions; Solid state reaction; Growth mechanism; Ultraviolet visible spectrum; Light absorption; Catalyst activity; X-ray photoelectron spectra
• ISSN: 1293-2558; 1873-3085
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2012.01.029

Porous ZnGaNO solid solution has been synthesized through a facile microwave route. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Energy dispersed spectrometer (EDS) and N2-sorption. The growth process of porous ZnGaNO solid solution is investigated by XRD and SEM. The porous structure is supposed to be attributed to the release of the gaseous side products and the structural contraction through a pseudo-topological transformation. The activity of porous ZnGaNO photocatalyst for photodegradation of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is much higher than that of ZnGaNO solid solution prepared by a solid state reaction. The as-prepared porous ZnGaNO photocatalyst exhibits an improved photocatalytic activity due to the strong gas adsorption by the porous structure and the enhancement of extended light absorption by the higher Zn content. [Display omitted] ► Porous ZnGaNO solid solution has been synthesized through a facile microwave route. ► Porous ZnGaNO has high surface area, more light absorption for high Zn content. ► Porous ZnGaNO exhibits an improved photocatalytic activity.