Improved photocatalytic activity of surface charge functionalized ZnO nanoparticles using aniline

Chatchai Rodwihok, Korakot Charoensri, Duangmanee Wongratanaphisan, Won Mook Choi, Seung Hyun Hur, Hyun Jin Park, Jin Suk Chung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Functionalization of aniline molecules on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles is reported using a simple impregnation technique. Functionalized ZnO samples were systematically characterized based on morphology, surface and optical properties, and photocatalytic performance towards methyl orange (MO). Aniline functionalization increased the surface charge of the modified ZnO. Compared to pristine ZnO, the aniline-functionalized ZnO yielded faster photodegradation of MO, degrading 98.29 % of MO in 60 min and superoxide radicals were the major species during the MO photodegradation reaction. These results indicate that the improvement of photocatalytic degradation could be attributed to opposite charge-induced surface adsorption. Hence, protonated amine as a positively charged molecule was expected to increase the surface adsorption of MO (as an anionic dye) on ZnO nanoparticles surfaces, thereby increasing their photocatalytic degradation performance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-10
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Materials Science and Technology
Volume76
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021 Jun 20

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by the 2020 research fund of University of Ulsan.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020

Keywords

  • Aniline
  • Methyl orange
  • Photocatalysts
  • Surface charge
  • ZnO

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Materials Chemistry

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