ZnO/Zn and ZnO film deposited via microwave atmospheric plasma jet as photo-catalyst for Rhodamine 6G dye degradation

- Microwave atmospheric plasma jet was used to deposit ZnO/Zn and ZnO films.
- Both films can effectively photodegrade Rhodamine 6G dye solution.
- ZnO/Zn film has faster degradation rate.

ZnO/Zn film was deposited on soda-lime glass substrate using a microwave atmospheric plasma jet. Energy dispersive spectroscopy showed that the Zn and O2 has an atomic ratio of 72:28. Zn (101) peak was also observed through X-ray Diffraction analysis. Annealing of the ZnO/Zn film at 400 °C for 1 h leads to the oxidation of Zn forming ZnO film. The photo-catalytic properties of the ZnO/Zn and ZnO films for the degradation of Rhodamine 6G dye were then compared. ZnO/Zn film has higher degradation rate of 1.37%/min while ZnO film has 1.23%/min.