Influence of inorganic oxidants and metal ions on photocatalytic activity of prepared zinc oxide nanocrystals

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanocrystals were prepared by precipitation method using ZnSO4.7H2O and NaOH as raw materials. The prepared ZnO nanocrystals were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Primary objective was to focus on the influence of inorganic oxidants, metal ions and anions on photocatalytic activity of prepared ZnO nanocrystals. The study on the effects of oxidants such as IO-4, S2SO2-8, BrO-3 and ClO-3 reveal that periodate ion is more efficient than others in improving the photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanocrystals. An investigation on the influence of metal ions on photocatalytic activity reveals that the removal of pollutant increases in the presence of Fe3+ and Cu2+. But negative effects are observed in the presence of anions. The possible roles of the additives on the reaction and the possible mechanisms of effect were discussed. The quantum yield (φ) and electrical energy per order (EEO) were estimated and compared for UV/ZnO/Oxidant catalytic system. Copyright © 2009 Global NEST.