Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol Using Nb-Loaded ZnO Nanoparticles

Authors

  • Viruntachar Kruefu Maejo University
  • Hathaithip Ninsonti Chiang Mai University
  • Natda Wetchakun Chiang Mai University
  • Burapat Inceesungvorn Chiang Mai University
  • Pusit Pookmanee Maejo University
  • Sukon Phanichphant Chiang Mai University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4186/ej.2012.16.3.91

Keywords:

Nb-loaded ZnO, flame spray pyrolysis, photocatalysis, phenol.

Abstract

Niobium-doped Zinc Oxide nanoparticles (Nb-doped ZnO NPs) in the range of 20 and 40 nm were synthesized by Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) technique. The crystalline phase, morphology and size of the nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The specific surface area of the nanoparticles was measured by nitrogen adsorption (BET analysis). The pure ZnO and Nb-doped ZnO NPs were found to have the clear spherical, hexagonal and rod-like morphologies. To the best of our knowledge, the application of Nb-doped ZnO NPs as a photocatalyst has not been reported yet. In this study, the photocatalytic activities of pure ZnO and Nb-doped ZnO NPs were determined by studying the mineralization of phenol under UV light illumination. The results indicated that all Nb-doped ZnO NPs have better photocatalytic activity than the pure ZnO nanoparticles. It was found that, 0.50 mol% Nb-doped ZnO NPs exhibited the fastest response to the degradation of phenol.

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Author Biographies

Viruntachar Kruefu

Program in Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Maejo University, Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand

Hathaithip Ninsonti

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Natda Wetchakun

Department of Physic and Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Burapat Inceesungvorn

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

Pusit Pookmanee

Program in Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Maejo University, Chiang Mai 50290, Thailand

Sukon Phanichphant

Materials Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand

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Published In
Vol 16 No 3, Feb 29, 2012
How to Cite
[1]
V. Kruefu, H. Ninsonti, N. Wetchakun, B. Inceesungvorn, P. Pookmanee, and S. Phanichphant, “Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol Using Nb-Loaded ZnO Nanoparticles”, Eng. J., vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 91-100, Feb. 2012.

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