文摘
ZnO particles with different morphological forms and various scale sizes were successfully synthesized as photocatalysts using two different methods (sol–gel and precipitation) and three precursors (zinc acetate dihydrate, zinc nitrate hexahydrate, and zinc sulfate heptahydrate). These materials were calcined at 500 °C for 3 h and characterized by various physicochemical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, SBET, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance. The results showed that the crystalline structure, size, and morphology of the ZnO particles are strongly influenced by the preparation method and by the nature of the precursor used as reactant. The photocatalytic efficiency of the synthesized photocatalysts was evaluated by the photodegradation of methyl orange in aqueous solution under UV-A light. The results showed that the ZnO nanoparticles prepared the by sol–gel method from zinc acetate are more efficient than those prepared by the precipitation method.
