Preparation and characterization of dispersive carbon-coupling ZnO photocatalysts

Dispersive carbon-coupling ZnO particles (C/ZnO) with smaller particle sizes and higher specific surface area were produced using a method combining precipitation and combustion techniques. Glucose was added in the production procedure to act as fuel to conduct combustion reaction and as source to form tiny carbon particles in the C/ZnO. Physical and chemical properties of the prepared C/ZnO particles were investigated and photocatalytic abilities of these particles to photocatalytically decompose the methylene blue in water under 365-nm UV light irradiation were kinetically studied. The prepared C/ZnO particles exhibited higher photocatalytic ability than the ZnO particles and the P25. The C/ZnO particles calcined at 900 °C possessed the best photocatalytic performance and had a reaction rate constant (km) of 0.859 L·(g·min)− 1, which exhibited much higher photocatalytic ability than the ZnO calcined at 700 °C (km = 0.326 L·(g·min)− 1) and the P25 (km = 0.371 L·(g·min)− 1).

Combusting the mixture of Zn5 (NO3)2 (OH)8·?H2O and glucose produces dispersive carbon-coupling ZnO photocatalysts (C/ZnO) with high photocatalytic activities.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Production of dispersive carbon-coupling ZnO (C/ZnO) photocatalytic nanoparticles
► Glucose as fuel to conduct combustion reaction to form the C/ZnO
► Investigation on reaction mechanisms to form the C/ZnO particles
► Kinetic studies on photocatalysis of the C/ZnO, ZnO and P25
► The C/ZnO calcined at 900 °C having the best photocatalytic performance