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Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using sprayed Mg diluted ZnO heterostructure thin films photocatalysts

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Abstract

The thin layers of ZnOx%/MgO [x = 30, 40 and 50 at%], were prepared by the spray pyrolysis method on glass substrates at 450 °C, then tested for methyl blue (MB) degradation under visible irradiations. The ZnOx%/MgO [x = 30,40 and 50 at%] thin films were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy and Mott-Schottky analysis. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the layers have a polycrystalline nature of hexagonal (wurtzite) and cubic structure. Microstructures the films were also analyzed using scanning electron. The films show a radical change in the surface morphology in accordance with the XRD results. The above analyses confirm the co-existence of a mixture of the wurtzite (ZnO) structure and cubic phase of MgO. The use of these mixed layers in the photo degradation of MB gave satisfactory results. Indeed, the photocatalytic tests showed the efficiency of Mg diluted ZnO films with the best yield in the case of 50% diluted ZO films. It was confirmed that the ZnO50%/MgO had a profound effect on reduction of band gap and photocatalytic performances.

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Aknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the National Project Research (PNR) and LASPI2A Laboratory of Khenchela University (Algeria) for their financial support of this research project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LASPI2A Laboratoire des Structures, Propriétés et Interactions Inter Atomiques, Université Abbes Laghrour, 40000, Khenchela, Algeria

    Sabrina Roguai & Abdelkader Djelloul

  2. Science of Matter, Abbes Laghrour University, Khenchela, Algeria

    Sabrina Roguai & Abdelkader Djelloul

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  1. Sabrina Roguai
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  2. Abdelkader Djelloul
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Correspondence to Sabrina Roguai.

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Roguai, S., Djelloul, A. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue using sprayed Mg diluted ZnO heterostructure thin films photocatalysts. Reac Kinet Mech Cat 132, 1225–1244 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11144-021-01963-4

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