Synergic effect of Ag decoration onto ZnO nanoparticles for the remediation of synthetic dye wastewater

Highly efficient photocatalytic Ag-decorated ZnO nanopowders were fabricated via photodeposition method. The physical properties of synthesized nanopowders were rigorously investigated using analytical techniques, such as, powder XRD studies, HR-TEM and PL spectroscopy. The surface area of samples was obtained using BET analysis. The potential of synthesized nanopowders as photocatalyst was evaluated by studying the degradation of basonyl violet dye. Coating of ZnO nanopowders with metallic silver resulted in a remarkable improvement in photocatalytic activity. Moreover, most proficient conditions were deduced for the degradation of basonyl violet, by varying parameters, such as, catalyst loading, concentration of dye, and solution pH, using Ag-decorated ZnO nanopowders under UV irradiation.