Structural, Optical and Photocatalytic Properties of Mn Doped ZnO Nanoparticles Used as Photocatalysts for Azo-Dye Degradation under Visible Light

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2022

Authors

Aadnan, I (Author) Other; Zegaoui, O (Author) Other; El Mragui, A (Author) Other; Daou, I (Author) Other; Moussout, H (Author) Other; Joaquim C G E Esteves da Silva (Author) FCUP

Journal

Title: Catalysts

Vol. 12

Final page: 1382

ISSN: 2073-4344

Publisher: MDPI

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 2 Citations

Scopus

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00X-EPG

DOI: 10.3390/catal12111382

Abstract (EN): Doping ZnO with appropriate foreign metal and/or non-metal ions is one of the most promising ways to improve both the extension of ZnO photosensitization to the visible region and the separation of charge carriers. Herein, Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using a precipitation method. The effect of the Mn amount on the physico-chemical properties of these nanomaterials was investigated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The photocatalytic properties of the synthesized nanomaterials were assessed through methyl orange (MO) under visible light. The obtained results showed that the structural and optical properties of the synthesized Mn-ZnO nanomaterials depended greatly on the Mn amount. It was found that the substitution of Zn2+ by Mn2+/Mn3+ within the lattice of ZnO occurred. The photocatalytic experiments revealed that the sample containing 10 wt% exhibited the best MO conversion. For this sample, the discoloration reached 96%, while the chemical oxygen demand reached 1% after 820 min of visible illumination. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the efficient separation of charge carriers. The active species quenching experiments showed that the holes are the main active species in MO degradation under visible light in the presence of 10%Mn-ZnO.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 18