Abstract
ZnO nanostructures were synthesized through arc discharge of zinc electrodes in deionized (DI) water. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the prepared nanostructures indicates formation of crystalline ZnO of hexagonal lattice structures. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images illustrate rod-like as well as semi spherical ZnO nanoparticles with 15–20 nm diameter range, which were formed during the discharge process with 5 A arc current. The average particle size was found to increase with the increasing arc current. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirms formation of ZnO at the surface of the nanoparticles. Surface area of the sample prepared at 5 A arc current, measured by BET analysis, was 34 m2/g. Photodegradation of Rhodamine B (Rh. B) shows that the prepared samples at lower currents have a higher photocatalytic activity due to larger surface area and smaller particle size.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Z.L. Wang, J. Phys. Condens. Matter 16, R829 (2004)
C.L. Kuo, T.J. Kuo, M.H. Huang, J. Phys. Chem. B 109, 20115 (2005)
B. Geng, X. Liu, X. Wei, S. Wang, Mater. Lett. 59, 3572 (2005)
Z. Liu, J. Li, J. Ya, Y. Xin, Z. Jin, Mater. Lett. 62, 1190 (2008)
S.S. Lin, J.L. Huang, D.F. Lii, Mater. Chem. Phys. 90, 22 (2005)
A. Umar, S.H. Kim, J.H. Kim, Y.B. Hahn, Mater. Lett. 62, 167 (2008)
Z.W. Liu, C.K. Ong, Mater. Lett. 61, 3329 (2007)
V.V. Pokropivny, M.M. Kasumov, Tech. Phys. Lett. 33, 44 (2007)
G.P. Zhu, C.X. Xu, X.F. Wu, Y. Yang, X.W. Sun, Y.P. Cui, J. Electron. Mater. 36, 494 (2007)
M. Ishigami, J. Cumings, A. Zettl, S. Chen, Chem. Phys. Lett. 319, 457 (2000)
Y.L. Hsin, K.C. Hwang, R.R. Chen, J.J. Kai, Adv. Mater. 13, 830 (2001)
H. Lange, M. Sioda, A. Huczko, Y.Q. Zhu, H.W. Kroto, D.R.M. Walton, Carbon 41, 1617 (2003)
N. Sano, J. Nakano, T. Kanki, Carbon 42, 667 (2004)
N. Sano, H. Wang, I. Alexandrou, M. Chhowalla, K.B.K. Teo, G.A.J. Amaratunga, J. Appl. Phys. 92, 2783 (2002)
N. Sano, H. Wang, M. Chhowalla, I. Alexandrou, G.A.J. Amaratunga, Nature 414, 506 (2001)
I. Alexandrou, N. Sano, A. Burrows, R.R. Meyer, H. Wang, A. Ikirkland, C.J. Kiely, G.A.J. Amaratunga, Nanotechnology 14, 913 (2003)
W.T. Yao, S.H. Yu, Y. Zhou, J. Jiang, O.S. Wu, L. Zhang, J. Jiang, J. Phys. Chem. B 109, 14011 (2005)
C.H. Lo, T.T. Tsung, H.M. Lin, J. Alloys Compd. 434–435, 659 (2007)
A.A. Ashkarran, A. Iraji zad, M.M. Ahadian, M.R. Hormozi Nezhad, Eur. Phys. J. Appl. Phys. (2008, in press)
J.K. Lung et al., J. Alloys Compd. 434–435, 655 (2007)
A.A. Ashkarran, A. Iraji zad, M.M. Ahadian, S.M. Mahdavi Ardakani, Nanotechnology 19, 195709 (2008)
A.A. Ashkarran, A. Iraji zad, S.M. Mahdavi, M.M. Ahadian, Mater. Chem. Phys. 118, 6 (2008)
S.J. Pearton, D.P. Norton, K. Ip, Y.W. Heo, T. Steiner, Prog. Mater. Sci. 50, 293 (2005)
D. Briggs, M.P. Seah (eds.), Practical Surface Analysis-Auger and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, 2nd edn. (Wiley Interscience, New York, 1990)
S.J. Gregg, K.S.W. Sing, Adsorption, Surface Area and Porosity (Academic Press, San Diego, 1982)
E.P. Barret, L.G. Joyner, P.H. Halenda, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 73, 373 (1951)
H. Wang, P. Xu, T. Wang, Mater. Des. 23, 331 (2002)
R. Hong, T. Pan, J. Qian, H. Li, Chem. Eng. J. 119, 71 (2006)
G. Wang, D. Chen, H. Zhang, J.Z. Zhang, J. Li, J. Phys. Chem. C 112, 8850 (2008)
F. Xu, P. Zhang, A. Navrotsky, Z.Y. Yuan, T.Z. Ren, M. Halasa, B.L. Su, Chem. Mater. 19, 5680 (2007)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ashkarran, A.A., Iraji zad, A., Mahdavi, S.M. et al. Photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles prepared via submerged arc discharge method. Appl. Phys. A 100, 1097–1102 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-010-5707-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-010-5707-z