Photodegradation of methylene blue of niobium-doped zinc oxide thin films produced by electrostatic spray deposition

Hyun Yoon, Bhavana N. Joshi, Seung Heon Na, Jae Young Choi, Sam S. Yoon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nanocrystalline transparent ZnO thin films, with different concentrations of niobium (Nb∼0, 5, 10, 15 atoms per formula unit, at%), were successfully deposited by the electrostatic spray deposition method. The crystalline phase, surface morphology, surface roughness and photocatalytic properties of these Nb:ZnO thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy, respectively. The Nb-doped films were tested for their photocatalytic abilities in aqueous solutions of methylene blue (MB) under UV illumination, where it showed that increasing Nb up to 10 at%, with respect to ZnO, enhanced the photocatalytic activity. ZnO films doped with 10 at% Nb demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity, with degradation of MB achieved in fewer than 2 h of UV irradiation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7567-7571
Number of pages5
JournalCeramics International
Volume40
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014 Jun

Keywords

  • Electrostatic spray deposition
  • Niobium
  • Photocatalysis
  • Zinc oxide

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Process Chemistry and Technology
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Materials Chemistry

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