Journal
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
Volume 725, Issue -, Pages 291-301Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE SA
DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.07.173
Keywords
ZnO; Urchin shapes; Sol-gel process; Electrophoretic deposition; Photocatalytic applications
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Funding
- Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council
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Currently, more attentions have been paid to the design and synthesis of three dimensional nano-structures. ZnO urchin-like shapes assembled by nanoparticles are grown on FTO glass substrates by solgel electrophoretic deposition of a colloidal sol containing zinc acetate (ZAD), triethylamine (TeA), and methanol. Based on observations from a time-dependent morphology evolution process, a three-step sequential growth model is recommended. The formation of urchin-like ZnO nanostructures depends on the type of media, sol concentration, and molar ratio of TeA/ZAD. Importantly, strong structure-induced photocatalytic performance enhancement for the degradation of methylene blue is obtained by these ZnO nanostructures compared to traditional ZnO film. The large specific surface area (48.4 m(2) g(-1)), strong light absorption ability, and nanoparticle shape affect the charge separation and transfer of urchin-like particles and hence enormously enhance the performance of photocatalyst. This work helps better understanding of the urchin-like shapes formed during sol-gel electrophoretic deposition and introduces an efficient way to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO by changing the morphology. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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