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Template‐free synthesis of hierarchical zinc oxide with improved photocatalytic properties
Author(s) -
Wang X. J.,
Han Y. J.,
Song Y.Q.,
Chen X.N.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
crystal research and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.377
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1521-4079
pISSN - 0232-1300
DOI - 10.1002/crat.201600156
Subject(s) - diethylene glycol , photocatalysis , materials science , diffuse reflectance infrared fourier transform , transmission electron microscopy , zinc , solvothermal synthesis , solvent , chemical engineering , band gap , spectroscopy , oxide , energy dispersive x ray spectroscopy , nanotechnology , scanning electron microscope , nuclear chemistry , chemistry , catalysis , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , composite material , metallurgy , ethylene glycol , engineering , physics , quantum mechanics
Novel hierarchical nano materials possess tremendous latent force in many applications. In this paper, hierarchical flower‐like, spherical and bowl‐like zinc oxide was successfully synthesized by altering solvent ratio (absolute ethanol and diethylene glycol) via a simple and template‐free solvothermal synthetic route. The solvent ratio also plays a vital role in deciding the structure, crystalline, band gap energy and specific surface area of the as‐synthesized samples. The preparation mechanism of ZnO in mixed alcohols was discussed. The obtained samples were characterized by energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption‐desorption, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Photocatalytic activity of the as‐prepared ZnO nanocrystals was evaluated by the degradation of MB under UV irradiation. Among, the most effective photocatalyst was synthesized when the diethylene glycol was 10 ml.