Enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of sprayed ZnO thin films through double doping (Sn plus F) and annealing under different ambiences

Ravichandran, K and Mohan, R and Sakthivel, B and Varadharajaperumal, S and Devendran, P and Alagesan, T and Pandian, K (2014) Enhancing the photocatalytic efficiency of sprayed ZnO thin films through double doping (Sn plus F) and annealing under different ambiences. In: APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE, 321 . pp. 310-317.

PDF app_sur_sci_321-310_2014.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (3MB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Doubly (Sn + F) doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Sn:F) thin films were deposited onto glass substrates using a simplified spray pyrolysis technique. The deposited films were annealed at 400 degrees C under two different ambiences (air and vacuum) for 2 h. The photocatalytic activity of these films was assessed through photocatalytic decolorization kinetics of Methylene Blue (MB) dye and the decolorization efficiency of the annealed films was compared with that of their as-deposited counterpart. The photocatalytic studies reveal that the ZnO:Sn:F films annealed under vacuum environment exhibits better photocatalytic efficiency when compared with both air annealed and as-deposited films. The SEM and TEM images depict that the surface of each of the films has an overlayer comprising of nanobars formed on a bottom layer, having spherical grains. The studies show that the diameter of the nanobars plays crucial role in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO:Sn:F films. The structural, optical and electrical studies substantiate the discussions on the photocatalytic ability of the deposited films. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
Publisher:	ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to the ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Keywords:	Doubly doped ZnO thin films; Annealing; XPS; HR-TEM; Photocatalytic activity
Department/Centre:	Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences > Centre for Nano Science and Engineering
Date Deposited:	12 Jan 2015 04:52
Last Modified:	12 Jan 2015 04:52
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/50560

Actions (login required)

View Item