Photocatalytic Performance of ZnO Nanoparticles Synthesized by Microwave-Assisted Process Using Zinc-Dust Waste as a Starting Material

Abstract:

This study aimed to use the zinc dust which is a waste from hot-dip galvanizing plant for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using microwave-assisted process. The precursor solution was prepared by dissolved as received zinc-dust powder in nitric acid. Then it was precipitated by NaOH at required pH and microwave irradiated in a household microwave oven at power of 100W for 10-20 min. The effects of preparation conditions and an addition amount of poly ethylene glycol (PEG; MW2000) for synthesis of ZnO on its properties were investigated. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized for their phase structure, morphology and surface area by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), respectively. The photocatalytic activity was determined by the degradation of methylene blue solution under UV irradiation. It was found that microwave heat treatment and addition of optimum amount of PEG could enhance the photocatalytic activity of precipitated ZnO particles. The resultant ZnO particles prepared by an addition of 0.25wt% PEG and microwave irradiation for 20 min exhibited the highest photodegradation rate among other products.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 608)
• Pages: 200-205
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.608.200
• Online since: April 2014
• Authors: Pornapa Sujaridworakun*, Kornkamol Natrchalayuth
• Keywords: Microwave-Assisted Process, Photocatalytic Performance, Waste, Zinc Oxide (ZnO), Zinc-Dust

References

[1] S. Musi, D. Dragcevic and S. Popovi, Influence of synthesis route on the formation of ZnO particles and their morphologies, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 429 (2007) 242–249.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2006.03.084

[2] C.H. Hung and W. -T Whang, A novel low-temperature growth and characterization of single crystal ZnO nanorods, Material Chemistry and Physics, 82 (2003) 705-710.

DOI: 10.1016/s0254-0584(03)00331-6

[3] R. Honga, T. Pan, J. Qian and H. Li, Synthesis and surface modification of ZnO nanoparticles, Chemical Engineering Journal, 119 (2006) 71-81.

[4] M. Andres-Verges, and M. Martinez-Gallego, Spherical and rod-like zinc oxide microcrystals: morphological characterization and microstructural evolution with temperature, J. Mater. Sci. 27 (1992) 3756-3762.

DOI: 10.1007/bf00545452

[5] T.Q. Liu, O. Sakurai, N. Mizutani, and M. Kato, Preparation of spherical fine ZnO particles by the spray pyrolysis method using ultrasonic atomization techniques, J. Mater. Sci. 21 (1986) 3698-3702.

DOI: 10.1007/bf02403024

[6] C. Hariharan, Photocatalytic degradation of organic contaminants in water by ZnO nanoparticles: Revisited, Applied Catal. A: Gen, 304 (2006) 99 55-61.

DOI: 10.1016/j.apcata.2006.02.020

[7] C.C. Chen, P. Liu and C.H. Lu, Synthesis and characterization of nano-sized ZnO powders by direct precipitation method, Chemical Engineering Journal, 144 (2008) 509-513.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2008.07.047

[8] M. Zhang, T. An, X. Liu, X. Hu, G. Sheng and J. Fu, Preparation of a high-activity ZnO/TiO2 photocatalyst via homogeneous hydrolysis method with low temperature crystallization, Materials Letters, 64 (2010) 1883-1886.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2010.05.054

[9] R. Gedye, F. Smith, K. Westaway, A. Humera, L. Baldisera, L. Laberge, L. Rousell, The use of microwave ovens for rapid organic synthesis, Tetrahedron Lett 27 (1986) 276.

DOI: 10.1016/s0040-4039(00)83996-9

[10] G. Ambro, Z.C. Orel, Microwave-assisted non-aqueous synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles, Materials and technology, 45, 3 (2011) 173–177.

[11] A. Phuruangrat, T. Thongtem, B. Kuntalue, S. Thongtem, Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of roselike and flower-like oxide nanostructures, Journal of Ovonic Research , Vol. 7, No. 6 (2011) 107-113.

DOI: 10.1515/msp-2015-0093

[12] J. Huang, C. Xia, L. Caoa, X. Zeng, Facile microwave hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide one-dimensional nanostructure with three-dimensional morphology, Materials Science and Engineering B, 150 (2008) 187–193.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2008.05.014

[13] M. -G. Ma, Y.J. Zhu, G. F Cheng, Y.H. Huang, Microwave synthesis and characterization of ZnO with various morphologies, Materials Letters, 62 (2008 ) 507–510.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2007.05.072