Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles by Spray-pyrolysis method for photo-catalytic application

Recuntly ZnO nanoparticles have been investigated as the photocatalyst widely. ZnO nanopartielcs were prepared from Zn(CH3COO)2.2H2O source by spray-pyrolysis method with changing synthesis temperature. We studied on photocatalytic activity of the ZnO nanoparticles as compared with commercial Degussa TiO2(p-25) powder. When the ZnO nanoparticles irradiated by UV light, ZnO nanoparticles have catalyzed redox reactions in presence of O2/air/water and degraded methylene blue(MB) in water solution. We carried out O2 plasma treatment to focus on the ratio of zinc to oxygen of hand made ZnO nanoparticles. After O2 plasma treatment of ZnO nanoparticles its photo-catalytic activity was increased rapidly. The characterization of ZnO nanoparticles were analyzed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) and BET test. Also we defined the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles using UV-VIS Spectroscopy.