ZnO nanotubes: Preparation and photocatalytic performance evaluation

In this work, uniform zinc oxide nanotube was successfully synthesized by a simple reproducible solution-based method. The effects of temperature, molecular weight of polyethylene glycol, and synthesis time on morphology and photocatalytic properties of the products were investigated. The synthesized particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, laser particle sizing, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and photoluminescence spectrum. The reaction temperature and reaction time were found to play key roles in synthesis of the nanotubes. The effects of annealing on crystallinity, optical property, and photocatalytic activity of the nanotubes were also investigated. The photocatalytic activity of nanotubes was evaluated by degrading Acid Blue 9 as a pollutant dye in a slurry reactor under UV light. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized ZnO nanotube remains almost unchanged after three times reusing that indicates its improved stability compared to that of a commercial ZnO nanoparticle.