Synthesis and characterization of ZnO, ZnO Doped Ag2O Nanoparticles and its Photocatalytic Activity

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanomaterials play an important role in many industries because of their amazing optical, electrical, mechanical, thermal, and structural capabilities. The current study focuses on the production of ZnO nanoparticles for photocatalytic dye degradation activities, and three types of ZnO nanoparticles are prepared: pure ZnO nanocrystals extracted through chemical and biological route and Ag2O doped ZnO nanoparticles. The average particle size of chemically produced ZnO nanocrystals was predicted to be 34 nm, and SEM examination validated the creation of ZnO nanorods-like structure from chemical technique, which exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity. X-ray diffraction study of Ag2O/ZnO nanoparticles revealed a hexagonal shape. The average particle size was determined to be between 16 and 17 nm. The findings of the SEM examination also revealed that the produced Ag2O doped ZnO nanoparticles agglomerated in hexagonal forms and adhered as bulks and rods that increased with the amount of Ag nanofluids. As a result, it is determined that agglomerated Ag2O/ZnO nanoparticles with hexagonal and rod structures operate as an efficient photocatalytic agent. It is obvious that 25 ml of Ag2O nanofluid doped with ZnO produces an excellent photocatalyst for organic dye degradation and is appropriate for large-scale applications.