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Facile Synthesis of Quasi Spherical ZnO Nanoparticles with Excellent Photocatalytic Activity

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Abstract

In this article, we report on the synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of quasi spherical ZnO nanoparticles obtained by an egg white assisted facile sol–gel type wet method. The material was characterized for its structural, textural and optical properties. The hexagonal wurtzite crystalline structure of ZnO with high phase purity was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction analysis. The mesoporous texture generated from the inter-agglomeration of ZnO nanoparticles was clearly shown in the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The N2 sorption analysis indicated a specific surface area of 18 m2/g, with monomodal mesoporosity. The optical studies had shown the decreased optical band gap (3.28 eV) of the sample with the existence of a number of crystal defects, especially oxygen vacancies in the sample. The aquatic dye pollutants were effectively degraded under UV irradiation over the ZnO nano photocatalysts. They were also found to be reusable up to five consecutive runs without loss in catalytic activity, indicating their high photostability against photocorrosion.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, under grant PKT/2012, Teknologi Sisa Sifar (331326006). The authors would like to acknowledge FST and CRIM for the material analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Manoj Pudukudy & Zahira Yaakob

  2. Fuel Cell Institute, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia

    Manoj Pudukudy

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  1. Manoj Pudukudy
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  2. Zahira Yaakob
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Correspondence to Manoj Pudukudy.

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Pudukudy, M., Yaakob, Z. Facile Synthesis of Quasi Spherical ZnO Nanoparticles with Excellent Photocatalytic Activity. J Clust Sci 26, 1187–1201 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10876-014-0806-1

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