Photoelectrocatalytic activity of a hydrothermally grown branched Zno nanorod-array electrode for paracetamol degradation.
Hierarchical branched ZnO nanorod (B-ZnR) arrays as an electrode for efficient photoelectrocatalytic degradation of paracetamol were grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates using a solution route. The morphologic and structural studies show the ZnO trunks are single-crystalline hexagonal wurtzite ZnO with a [0001] growth direction and are densely covered by c-axis-oriented ZnO branches. The obvious enhancement in photocurrent response of the B-ZnR electrode was obtained than that in the ZnO nanoparticle (ZnO NP) electrode. For the photoelectrocatalytic degradation of paracetamol in 20 h, the conversion fraction of the drug increased from 32% over ZnO NP electrode to 62% over B-ZnR arrays with about 3-fold increase in initial reaction rate. The light intensity-dependent photoelectrocatalytic experiment indicated that the superior performance over the B-ZnR electrode was mainly ascribed to the increased specific surface area without significantly sacrificing the charge transport and pollutant diffusion efficiencies. Two aromatic intermediate compounds were observed and eventually converted into harmless carboxylic acids and ammonia. Hierarchical tree-like ZnO arrays can be considered effective alternatives to improve photoelectro degradation rates without the need for expensive additives.
Department of Environmental Engineering, National Ilan University, 1, Sec. 1, Shen-Lung Road, I-Lan 260, Taiwan.
Chin Jung
CJ
Lin
Department of Environmental Engineering, National Ilan University, 1, Sec. 1, Shen-Lung Road, I-Lan 260, Taiwan.
Shu-Jun
SJ
Liao
Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, P.O. Box 13-318, Taipei 106, Taiwan.
Li-Cheng
LC
Kao
Department of Geosciences, National Taiwan University, P.O. Box 13-318, Taipei 106, Taiwan. Electronic address: yhliou@ntu.edu.tw.
Sofia Ya Hsuan
SY
Liou
D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D004350:Drug Residues; D004566:Electrodes; D043942:Nanotubes; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010777:Photochemistry; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
D000082:Acetaminophen; D015034:Zinc Oxide
Arrays; Nanorod; Paracetamol; Photocatalytic; Photoelectrocatalytic; ZnO