Optimization of Photo Catalytic Activity of ZnO Nano Composites by Surface Modification with Cu metal using Facile Hydrothermal Approach

Authors

• Fazal Ur Rehman * ^{1, 2}
• Manzar Zahra ¹
• Iqra Qayyum ^{1, 2}
• Aoun Raza ¹
• Amir Waseem ³

1. Department of Chemistry, Lahore Garrison University, Lahore-Pakistan
2. Department of Chemistry, University of Education, Lahore-Vehari Campus, Pakistan
3. Department of Chemistry, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract

ZnO nano particles and Cu modified ZnO nano composites have been prepared by simple, facile hydrothermal approach. The novelty of this work was the use of aqueous methanolic solution (50:50 ratio) as the solvent of reaction, while zinc chloride was used as the precursor of ZnO NPs and Cu- modified ZnO nano composites. XRD results revealed that the synthesized ZnO and Cu-modified ZnO nano composites were of nano size and XRD patterns matched with JCPDS Card 35-1451, confirming the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. The FT-IR results confirmed the synthesis of target materials and also the adsorption of Cu metal on ZnO surface. The UV visible spectroscopic analysis indicated that the optical properties improved as the concentration of Cu metal increased on ZnO surface. SEM analysis explored the spherical shape of synthesized nano composites. The EDX graph showed the elemental composition of prepared materials that composed of Zn, O and Cu and no other impurity was found. The Tartrazine Yellow Azo Dye was degraded to investigate the photo catalytic activity which was optimized under sunlight with increasing the Cu metal concentration on surface of ZnO.

Highlights

1. Synthesis of ZnO Nanocomposites by low-temperature approach
2. Surface modification with the simple-facile approach
3. Catalytic degradation of organic pollutant dye in water

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

• Cu Modification
• Hydrothermal
• Photo catalysis
• Dye removal. Tartrazine Yellow
• ZnO Nano Composites