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Photocatalytically active ZnO flaky nanoflowers for environmental remediation under solar light irradiation: effect of morphology on photocatalytic activity

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Abstract

ZnO-flaky-like nanoflowers with enhanced photocatalytic activity were synthesized by a new hydrothermal technique. The material was characterized and the photocatalytic studies were conducted under solar light irradiation for a model azo dye, Orange G. The material was compared with ZnO nanosphere and nanorod. The results showed the particle size of the nanostructures as a nanorod is 62–81 nm, as a nanosphere is 40–70 nm and as flaky nanoflowers is 20–30 nm (thickness of the flake). The photocatalytic activity showed an enhanced 2-fold increase in the activity for nanoflowers when compared to nanorods and spheres. The Brauner–Emmett–Teller results showed that the nanoflowers (14.197 m2 g−1) had a higher surface area nearly 3.5 times when compared to the nanospheres (4.06 m2 g−1) and seven times with nanorods (2.1 m2 g−1) which is the possibility of such high photocatalytic activity. The smaller particle size and the arrangement of nanoflowers play an important role in enhanced photocatalytic activity.

Graphic abstract

ZnO flaky-nanoflowers as enhanced photocatalyst for the degradation of organics under solar light irradiation. It showed a two-fold increase in activity than ZnO nanospheres and nanorods.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Director Research and Principal AVIT-VMRF, for providing seed grant for conducting the work. We would also like to thank the Director CLRI, for the infrastructure.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology – Vinayaka Mission Research Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Paiyanoor, Kanchipuram, 603104, India

    G A Suganya Josephine

  2. Department of Physics, Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology – Vinayaka Mission Research Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Salai, Paiyanoor, Kanchipuram, 603104, India

    G Nirmala Devi & R N Viswanath

  3. Chemical Engineering Area, CSIR-Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, 600020, India

    K Jayaprakash & A Sivasamy

  4. Quaid-e-Millath Government College for Women, Anna Salai, Chennai, 600002, India

    G Meenakshi

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  1. G A Suganya Josephine
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  2. K Jayaprakash
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  3. G Meenakshi
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  4. A Sivasamy
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  5. G Nirmala Devi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to G A Suganya Josephine.

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Suganya Josephine, G.A., Jayaprakash, K., Meenakshi, G. et al. Photocatalytically active ZnO flaky nanoflowers for environmental remediation under solar light irradiation: effect of morphology on photocatalytic activity. Bull Mater Sci 44, 247 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12034-021-02531-1

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