title: Comparison of dye degradation efficiency using ZnO powders with various size scales.
abstract: ZnO powders with various size scales (mean diameter size: 10, 50, 200 and 1000nm) have been prepared by two different preparation methods, thermal evaporation method and chemical deposition method, and examined as photocatalysts for the UV-induced degradation of methyl orange in water solution. ZnO nanoparticle with diameter size 50nm prepared by thermal evaporation method showed the highest photocatalytic activity. In addition, the tetrapod ZnO nanopowders had the higher efficiency than irregular ZnO particles. However, the smallest 10nm ZnO nanoparticle prepared by chemical deposition method indicated the lower efficiency contrast to 200nm ZnO powders prepared by thermal evaporation method. The results indicated preparation method was the decisive factor rather than size and morphology. Moreover, the effect of catalyst loading, pH value and the initial dye concentration on the final degradation efficiency were discussed through the photocatalytic experiments using 50nm ZnO nanoparticle as photocatalyst.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Plastic Forming Simulation and Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
authors.forename: Huihu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Changsheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shuizhou
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Zhihong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yanghai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gui
mesh_terms: D001391:Azo Compounds / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002384:Catalysis; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053758:Nanoparticles; D010316:Particle Size; D010777:Photochemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001391:Azo Compounds; D004396:Coloring Agents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C100258:methyl orange; D015034:Zinc Oxide