Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of copper doped zinc oxide and its composites with sulphur doped graphitic carbon nitride
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Date
2018
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UMT, Lhr
Abstract
Investigation of the doping influence on structures and photocatalytic properties of Zn nanostructures at optimum concentration is presented. Moreover, enhanced photocatalytic performance making composite with sulfur doped g-C₃N₄ is also presented. Copper (Cu) is used as dopant on ZnO nanostructures. Undoped and doped nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method and annealing was done at 520oC for 3 hours. Sulfur doped graphitic carbon nitride nanosample was prepared by using thiourea. Nanocomposites of sulfur doped graphitic carbon nitride with pure zinc oxide and copper doped zinc oxide were prepared. Different characterization techniques were used to analyze the structural properties like (SEM) scanning electron microscopy, (XRD) X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. Photocatalytic activities of all the samples were checked by UV- Visible. Methylene blue was employed as an organic pollutant for the photocatalytic activities and sunlight used for this activity. All the sample was good photodegradation of methylene blue. Therefore, 15% Cu doped ZnO was made composites with sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride by physical mixing method to determine it effect on photocatalytic activity and the formation of series of nanocomposites. Tauc plots were made by determining the band gap of different nanosample. Nanocomposites are excellent samples for degradation of an organic dyes and can be very effective for removal of organic dyes from industrial waste waters.