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Tunable Photocatalytic Activity of PEO‐Stabilized ZnO–Polyoxometalate Nanostructures in Aqueous Solution
Author(s) -
Bernhardt Sarah,
Düring Jasmin,
Haschke Sandra,
Barr Maissa K. S.,
Stiegler Lisa,
Schühle Patrick,
Bachmann Julien,
Hirsch Andreas,
Gröhn Franziska
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced materials interfaces
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.671
H-Index - 65
ISSN - 2196-7350
DOI - 10.1002/admi.202002130
Subject(s) - photocatalysis , materials science , polyoxometalate , ternary operation , aqueous solution , selectivity , chemical engineering , dynamic light scattering , oxide , nanostructure , zinc , polymer , inorganic chemistry , nanoparticle , catalysis , nanotechnology , organic chemistry , chemistry , composite material , computer science , engineering , metallurgy , programming language
The photocatalytic activity and selectivity of novel binary and ternary composite nanostructures from polyethylene oxide‐stabilized zinc oxide (PEO–ZnO) with and without polyoxometalate (H 4 [Si(W 3 O 10 ) 4 ], POM) are determined in aqueous solution under UV‐light. Mono‐ and di‐COOH‐end‐functionalized PEO polymers are used as surface modifiers, influencing the morphology and stability of the ZnO nanoparticles being synthesized in water. POM acts as an additional versatile photocatalytically active building block resulting in a ternary hybrid structure with tunable photocatalytic activity. Catalytic selectivity is demonstrated by studying photocatalytic dye degradations as model reactions, where the chemical backbone of the dyes and their charge turn out to be the basis for the selectivity. All samples are characterized with dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and ζ‐potential measurements. With the functionalized PEOs, large ZnO clusters consisting of leaves are formed while 2‐[2‐(2‐methoxyethoxy) ethoxy] acetic acid (TODA) yields ZnO flower‐like structures.