Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sol-gel synthesis of porous cobalt-doped ZnO thin films leading to rapid and large scale Orange-II photocatalysis

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for catalytic, photoelectrochemical and sensor applications
  • Published:
Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Herein, a sol-gel dip-coating scheme has been employed to prepare the high-quality ZnO thin films with various loadings of cobalt (Co) on porous ceramics substrates. The impact of cobalt element on the crystal phase, surface morphology, optical and chemical properties of films were investigated using different spectroscopic techniques including PXRD, FE-SEM, FT-IR,and UV-Vis respectively. The X-rays diffraction pattern showed the synthesis of monophasic ZnO at all Co contents without appearance of any secondary phase; the grain size is decreased from 40 to 12 nm as Co loading scales from 0 to 3%. Scanning electron microscopy study reveals that the existence of Co doping in ZnO impacts its morphology change, and its size is reduced and presented in homogeneous distribution as well as Co content increases, in FT-IR results no secondary phase was observed in the spectra corresponding to Co. In addition, the mean value of reflectance as deduced from UV–Vis spectra lies 86–95% in the visible range, showing Co doping drastically reduces the band gap values from 3.14 to 2.93 eV. The practical applicability was investigated in the removal of Orange II (OII) dye on exposure to ultra violet radiations. In comparison to other samples, the thin films with 5 wt% Co show the highest rate of decomposition in the order of 92% for 4 h irradiation time.

Graphical Abstract

The right side of TOC represents the absorbance spectra of pure ZnO and different cobalt doped ZnO thin films and the left side represents the pure orange II dye and change in the pure orange II dye solutions after 6 h using pure ZnO and different cobalt doped ZnO films catalysts.

Highlights

  • This paper makes an elaborate study on Co-doped ZnO thin films synthesized by sol-gel (dip-coating) method on small porous ceramic support. The different physio-chemical features of the prepared materials are reported here in this issue.

  • The bandgap was calculated by knowing the maximum wavelength from the absorption derivative and applying the following relationship [16], the results show that with the doping concentration, the optical bandgap of the film gradually decreases as indicated in Table 2, this may be due to the Co2+ introduced in the lattice of ZnO.

  • When the dopant concentration (Co) is increased, it is observed that there is an enhancement in the density while the grains size reduces compared to pure ZnO. It is found that when the doping concentration is 5%, the grain size is the most uniform and the film density is best, the grain size is around 20 nm.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  1. Cui M-H, Cui D, Gao L, Wang A-J, Cheng H-Y (2017) Evaluation of anaerobic sludge volume for improving azo dye decolorization in a hybrid anaerobic reactor with built-in bioelectrochemical system. Chemosphere 169:18–22

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Wang W, Huang G, An C, Zhao S, Chen X, Zhang P (2018) Adsorption of anionic azo dyes from aqueous solution on cationic gemini surfactant-modified flax shives: Synchrotron infrared, optimization and modeling studies. J Clean Prod 172:1986–1997

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Sun J, Jin J, Beger RD, Cerniglia CE, Chen H (2017) Evaluation of metabolism of azo dyes and their effects on Staphylococcus aureus metabolome. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 44:1471–1481

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Vaiano V, Sacco O, Libralato G, Lofrano G, Siciliano A, Carraturo F, Guida M, Carotenuto M (2020) Degradation of anionic azo dyes in aqueous solution using a continuous flow photocatalytic packed-bed reactor: Influence of water matrix and toxicity evaluation. J Environ Chem Eng 8:104549

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Yu Z, Moussa H, Liu M, Chouchene B, Schneider R, Wang W, Moliere M, Liao H (2018) Tunable morphologies of ZnO films via the solution precursor plasma spray process for improved photocatalytic degradation performance. Appl Surf Sci 455:970–979

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Zulfiqar M, Chowdhury S, Samsudin MFR, Siyal AA, Omar AA, Ahmad T, Sufian S (2020) Effect of organic solvents on the growth of TiO2 nanotubes: An insight into photocatalytic degradation and adsorption studies. J Water Process Eng 37:101491

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Chen Y, Wang L, Wang W, Cao M (2017) Synthesis of Se-doped ZnO nanoplates with enhanced photoelectrochemical and photocatalytic properties. Mater Chem Phys 199:416–423

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Zhu YF, Zhou L, Jiang QS (2020) One-dimensional ZnO nanowires grown on three-dimensional scaffolds for improved photocatalytic activity. Ceram Int 46:1158–1163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Samadipakchin P, Mortaheb HR, Zolfaghari A (2017) ZnO nanotubes: Preparation and photocatalytic performance evaluation. J Photochem Photobiol A: Chem 337:91–99

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Aryanto D, Hastuti E, Taspika M, Anam K, Isnaeni I, Widayatno WB, Wismogroho AS, Marwoto P, Nuryadin BW, Noviyanto A (2020) Characteristics and photocatalytic activity of highly c-axis-oriented ZnO thin films. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 96:226–235

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Xu L, Su J, Zheng G, Zhang L (2019) Enhanced photocatalytic performance of porous ZnO thin films by CuO nanoparticles surface modification. Mater Sci Eng: B 248:114405

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Zarei S, Hasheminiasari M, Masoudpanah S, Javadpour J (2022) Photocatalytic properties of ZnO/SnO2 nanocomposite films: role of morphology. J Mater Res Technol 17:2305–2312

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Al Farsi B, Souier T, Al Marzouqi F, Al Maashani M, Bououdina M, Widatallah H, Al M (2021) Abri, Structural and optical properties of visible active photocatalytic Al doped ZnO nanostructured thin films prepared by dip coating. Optical Mater 113:110868

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Islam MR, Azam MG (2020) Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Mg-doped ZnO thin films prepared by sol–gel method. Surf Eng 37:775–783

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Khalfallah B, Riahi I, Chaabouni F (2021) Effect of Cu doping on the structural, optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films grown by RF magnetron sputtering: application to solar photocatalysis. Opt Quant Electron 53:238

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Sutanto H, Wibowo S, Arifin M, Hidayanto E (2017) Photocatalytic activity of cobalt-doped zinc oxide thin film prepared using the spray coating technique. Mater Res Express 4:076409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Goswami M (2020) Enhancement of photocatalytic activity of synthesized Cobalt doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles under visible light irradiation. Opt Mater 109:110400

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Roza L, Febrianti Y, Iwan S, Fauzia V (2020) The role of cobalt doping on the photocatalytic activity enhancement of ZnO nanorods under UV light irradiation. Surf Interfac 18:100435

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Al-Namshah KS, Shkir M, Ibrahim FA (2021) Hamdy MS, Auto combustion synthesis and characterization of Co doped ZnO nanoparticles with boosted photocatalytic performance. Physica B: Condensed Matter 625:413459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Dhanalakshmi M, Saravanakumar K, Prabavathi SL, Muthuraj V (2020) Iridium doped ZnO nanocomposites: Synergistic effect induced photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and crystal violet. Inorg Chem Commun 111:107601

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. P. J, N. Kottam, R. A (2021) Investigation of photocatalytic degradation of crystal violet and its correlation with bandgap in ZnO and ZnO/GO nanohybrid. Inorg Chem Commun 125:108460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Siwińska-Ciesielczyk K, Świgoń D, Rychtowski P, Moszyński D, Zgoła-Grześkowiak A, Jesionowski T (2020) The performance of multicomponent oxide systems based on TiO2, ZrO2 and SiO2 in the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B: mechanism and kinetic studies. Coll Surf A: Physicochem Eng Asp 586:124272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Reddy M, Poojitha P, Rani V, Kumar M (2018) Structural, morphological and photocatalytic properties of Co doped ZnO nanoparticles. J Ovonic Res 14:55–61

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Abirami N, Arulanantham A, Wilson KJ (2020) Structural and magnetic properties of cobalt doped ZnO thin films deposited by cost effective nebulizer spray pyrolysis technique. Mater Res Express 7:026405

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Khantoul A, Sebais M, Rahal B, Boudine B, Halimi O (2018) Structural and optical properties of ZnO and Co doped ZnO thin films prepared by sol-gel. Acta Phys Pol A 133:114–117

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Bindu P, Thomas S (2014) Estimation of lattice strain in ZnO nanoparticles: X-ray peak profile analysis. J Theor Appl Phys 8:123–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Vallejo Lozada WA, Cantillo A, Salazar B, Diaz Uribe CE, Ramos Cervantes W, Romero E, Hurtado M (2020) Comparative study of ZnO thin films doped with transition metals (Cu and Co) for methylene blue photodegradation under visible irradiation. Catalysts 10:528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Tseng J-Y, Chen Y-T, Lin CJ, Liu W-J, Wang CC, Chen QR, Cheng MH, Chou TB (2015) The optical, electrical, and nanomechanical properties of ZnO thin films. Optik 126:3263–3266

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Yildirim OA, Arslan H, Sönmezoğlu S (2016) Facile synthesis of cobalt-doped zinc oxide thin films for highly efficient visible light photocatalysts. Appl Surf Sci 390:111–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Authors are thankful to Department of Materials Science, Larbi Ben M’hidi University, Oum El Bouaghi, Algeria for funding and supporting the execution of this research. Author contributions KC performed all the experimental work, collected and analyzed the data, and wrote the first draft of the paper. RN and MAP commented on the paper and approved the final version of the paper. AM, AHM, and RN revised the paper and approved the final version of the paper. MAP, KC, FS, and AN conceptualized and designed the work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Active Components and Materials, Department of Materials Science, Larbi Ben M’hidi University, Oum El Bouaghi, 04000, Algeria

    Khedidja Chehhat, Abla Mecif & Abdelouahab Noua

  2. Materials and Structures Laboratory Electronic systems and Reliability, Department of Materials Science, Larbi Ben M’hidi University, Oum El Bouaghi, 04000, Algeria

    Abedel Hakim Mahdjoub

  3. Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, New Delhi, 110016, India

    Roshan Nazir

  4. School of Chemistry, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India

    Manzoor Ahmad Pandit

  5. Department of Materials Science, Abbes Laghrour-Khenchela University P.O 1252, Khenchela, 40004, Algeria

    Faiza Salhi

Authors
  1. Khedidja Chehhat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Abla Mecif
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Abedel Hakim Mahdjoub
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Roshan Nazir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Manzoor Ahmad Pandit
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Faiza Salhi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Abdelouahab Noua
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Khedidja Chehhat, Roshan Nazir or Manzoor Ahmad Pandit.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Chehhat, K., Mecif, A., Mahdjoub, A.H. et al. Sol-gel synthesis of porous cobalt-doped ZnO thin films leading to rapid and large scale Orange-II photocatalysis. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 106, 85–94 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06060-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06060-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation