title: Simple and template-free method for preparation of (ZnO)1-x[Cd(OH)2]x nanoparticles in water and their photocatalytic activities.
abstract: A simple and template-free method was applied for preparation of (ZnO)1-x [Cd(OH)2]x nanoparticles (x = 0-1) in water by refluxing for 4h at about 95 degrees C. The nanoparticles were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. XRD patterns show that the products are excellently crystallized in a hexagonal structure. The SEM images demonstrate that the nanoparticles are nearly spherical. The UV-Vis spectrum for the nanoparticles with x = 0.2 shows an absorption tail in the visible light region. Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) on the nanoparticles was evaluated under visible light irradiation. Nanoparticles of (ZnO)0.8 [Cd(OH)2]0.2 exhibit the highest photocatalytic activity among the prepared samples. The nanoparticles prepared by refluxing for 4 h have the greatest photocatalytic activity. Increasing photocatalytic activity was attributed to the trapping of charge carriers and the existing absorption tail in the visible region for the nanoparticles with x = 0.2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, P.O. Box 179, Ardabil, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barjasteh-Moghaddam
authors.forename: Aziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Habibi-Yangjeh
mesh_terms: D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000737:chemistry; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D055668:Photochemical Processes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D008751:Methylene Blue