Photoactivity of N-doped ZnO nanoparticles in oxidative and reductive reactions

Author(s)

Oliveira, Jessica A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Nogueira, Andre E. ^[1] ; Goncalves, Maria C. P. ^[2] ; Paris, Elaine C. ^[1] ; Ribeiro, Caue ^[1] ; Poirier, Gael Y. ^[2] ; Giraldi, Tania R. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Embrapa Instrumentacao, Rua 15 Novembro 1452, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Alfenas, Programa Posgrad Ciencia & Engn Mat, Rodovia Jose Aurelio Vilela 11999, Cidade Univ, BR-37715400 Pocos De Caldas, MG - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Applied Surface Science; v. 433, p. 879-886, MAR 1 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 16

Abstract

N-doped ZnO is a prospective material for photocatalytic reactions. However, only oxidative paths are well investigated in the literature. This paper describes a comparative study about ZnO and ZnO:N potential for oxidative and reductive reactions, probed by rhodamine B dye photodegradation and CO2 photoreduction. The materials were prepared by the polymeric precursor method, using urea as a nitrogen source, and different heat treatments were used to observe their effects on surface decontamination, crystallinity, particle sizes and shapes, and photocatalytic performance. ZnO and ZnO:N presented a wurtzite crystalline structure and nanometric-scale particles. Samples submitted to higher temperatures showed lower specific surface areas, but higher crystallinity and lower contents of species adsorbed on their surfaces. On the other hand, the photocatalysts annealed in shorter times presented smaller crystallite sizes and lower crystallinity. These factors influenced the photoactivity in both conditions, i.e., oxidation and reduction reactions, under the ultraviolet and visible light, indicating that structural factors influenced the adequate charge separation and consequent photocatalytic activity since the as-synthesized samples were versatile photocatalysts in both redox reactions. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/09014-7 - STUDY OF THE POTENTIAL OF NANO-HETEROSTRUCTURE OF COPPER AND NIOBIUM OXIDE FOR USE IN ARTIFICIAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Grantee: André Esteves Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 15/14330-8 - Studies in the synthesis and application of semiconducting nanocrystal heterostructures in artificial photosynthetic processes
• Grantee: Cauê Ribeiro de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Regular Grants