Influence of pH Value and Precipitant on Zn₂SnO₄ Formation via Co-Precipitation Method

Abstract:

Nanorod-shaped zinc stannate Zn₂SnO₄ (ZTO) with great photocatalytic activity was successfully synthesized via a co-precipitation method. In this paper, a strong base (NaOH) and a weak base (Na₂CO₃) are adopted as precipitants in order to form the precursor precipitate. The titration endpoints are fixed at pH6, pH8, and pH10 in order to adjust the solution precipitant quantity. Dependent variables above were not seen in other research before. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that the powders synthesized were ZTO nano-particles. Photocatalytic activity of the powders was measured utilizing a photocatalytic degradation reaction with methylene blue (MB) solution. The smallest particles were obtained by utilizing NaOH as a precipitant and adjusting pH to 6. Based on TEM images, the ZTO had nano-rod particle morphology. However, when precipitant Na₂CO₃ was utilized, particles agglomerated together, reducing specific surface area. Hence, the former sample shows better photocatalytic activity than the latter one. Consequently, powders titrated to pH6 by precipitant NaOH and calcined for 1 hour will form partly nano-rod particles with slight agglomeration, increasing the specific surface area of ZTO and bringing about the best photocatalytic characteristics.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volumes 291-294)
• Pages: 61-64
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.291-294.61
• Online since: July 2011
• Authors: Yu Shiang Wu, Min He Tsau
• Keywords: Co-Precipitation, Nanoparticle, Photocatalyst, Zn₂SnO₄

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