Ag&ZnO Obtained by Solvothermal Method for Photocatalytic Applications

Abstract

In this work is reported the solvothermal synthesis of hybrid nanostructured ZnO&Ag systems starting from zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2•6H2O) and silver nitrate (Ag(NO3)2) as precursors. The structural and morphological properties of the obtained hybrid materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Subsequently, the photocatalytic behavior of prepared systems was evaluated. The results verify the viability of as-synthesized ZnO&Ag nanocomposites for its application in the removal of contaminants in water. The best results (percentage of pollutant removal > 99 %) are obtained for samples synthesized at low temperature, intermediate times, higher ratios Ag+/Zn2+ and in the presence of CTAB, which controls the final morphology of nanostructures and the dispersion thereof. These results prove that the system morphology is critical to the properties of the obtained material.