Zinc oxide/carbon xerogel composites for photocatalytic applications developed through acidic and alkaline synthesis routes: structural, morphological, and photocatalytic evaluations

Author(s)

de Moraes, Nicolas Perciani ^[1] ; Valim, Ricardo Bertholo ^{[1, 2]} ; Rocha, Robson da Silva ^{[1, 2]} ; Caetano Pinto da Silva, Maria Lucia ^{[1, 2]} ; Bastos Campos, Tiago Moreira ^{[3, 1]} ; Thim, Giltnar Patrocinio ^[3] ; Rodrigues, Liana Alvares ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Engn Lorena EEL, Estr Municipal Campinho S-N, BR-12602810 Lorena, SP - Brazil

^[2] Thim, Giltnar Patrocinio, Inst Tecnol Aeronaut ITA CTA, Praca Mal Eduardo Gomes 50, BR-12228900 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP, Brazil.de Moraes, Nicolas Perciani, Univ Sao Paulo, Escola Engn Lorena EEL, Estr Municipal Campinho S-N, BR-12602810 Lorena, SP - Brazil

^[3] Inst Tecnol Aeronaut ITA CTA, Praca Mal Eduardo Gomes 50, BR-12228900 Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF NANOPARTICLE RESEARCH; v. 22, n. 6 JUN 5 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

This paper evaluates the influence of synthesis route (acidic or alkaline) on the structure, morphology, and photocatalytic properties of ZnO/Carbon xerogel composites. Structurally, both classes of materials present the wurtzite phase of zinc oxide. Composites derived from acidic route displayed facile thermal degradation of the zinc oxalate precursor when compared with pure zinc oxalate. Morphology-wise, materials produced through alkaline route are composed of nodular and plate-like particles, whereas acidic route composites are heterogeneously formed by large polyhedral particles and small particle agglomerates. Elemental distribution analysis confirms the heterogeneity of the acidic route composites, showing clear phase separation between the ZnO and the carbon xerogel. The composites prepared using the alkaline route are superior in the photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol, probably due to higher homogeneity and synergy between the semiconductor and carbonaceous phases. The superiority of alkaline route composites is confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, which shows that such materials have enhanced charge separation capability. Graphical abstract (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/02762-5 - Development of technologies to prevent pollution: degradation and monitoring online of antibiotics in sewage
• Grantee: Robson da Silva Rocha
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/10492-1 - Photocatalytic evaluation of heterojunctions semiconductor/ZnO/carbon xerogel in the photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol in both fluidized bed and batch reactors
• Grantee: Liana Alvares Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/16360-0 - Development of ZnO/Bi2O3/Carbon xerogel ternary composites as photocatalysts for the degradation of persistent organic pollutants
• Grantee: Nicolas Perciani de Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/12035-7 - Mechanical and antimicrobial properties of Ag/PMMA nanocomposite
• Grantee: Gilmar Patrocínio Thim
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/10118-0 - Study and application of electrochemical technology for the analysis and degradation of endocrine interferents: materials, sensors, processes and scientific dissemination
• Grantee: Marcos Roberto de Vasconcelos Lanza
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 16/20920-5 - Heterogeneous photocatalysis applied in the degradation of organic pollutants using a hybrid zinc oxide-carbon xerogel as catalyst
• Grantee: Nicolas Perciani de Moraes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master