Simple way for preparation of ZnO films by surfactant mediated spray pyrolysis

Nanocrystalline porous ZnO films are deposited onto alumina foil substrates by polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) modified spray pyrolysis. Water and ethanol–water mixture were used for preparation of the sols. The effect of polyvinyl alcohol on the morphological and photocatalytical properties of ZnO films was studied. It was found that the polyvinyl alcohol plays important role in formation of porous films structure with ganglia like morphology. Relatively compact granular morphology was observed for the ZnO samples, grown without organic surfactant. The X-ray diffraction patterns revealed the formation of phase-pure ZnO thin films. The FTIR spectra and DTA-TG analyses of the precursor mixtures: Zn(CH3COOH)2·2H2O and Zn(NO3)2·6H20 with PVA revealed that ZnO is formed before the final decomposition of the polymer at 350 °C.It was observed that both: the acetate precursor and the organic surfactant could enhance significantly the photocatalytic properties of the ZnO films. The films obtained from sols, containing PVA showed better photocatalytic decolorization of Malachite Green dye, than the films, deposited from unmodified sols.

► ZnO was prepared by surfactant mediated spray pyrolysis.
► The film surface morphology can be enhanced by PVA addition.
► The PVA improves significant the photocatalytic activity of ZnO.
► The zinc acetate precursor is preferred for film preparation than nitrate one.