Effect of Surface Impurities and Lattice Defects on the Photocatalytic Activity of ZnO Nanoparticles.

ABSTRACT: We report on the surface chemical and photocatalytic properties of hierarchical ZnO nanorod assemblies synthesized via zinc acetate-based methods and subjected to various pretreatment protocols. The as-prepared ZnO samples were thoroughly washed and thermally treated at different temperatures and durations to remove residual organics from the synthesis. Despite extensive washing, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed significant amounts of residual organic species on the as-prepared ZnO surfaces. Operando DRIFTS demonstrated that annealing to 500 °C was required to effectively eliminate these synthesis-related residues. However, prolonged annealing also led to the removal of two types of ZnO-associated defects: (i

SUBMITTER: Svensson FG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12573794 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature