Hierarchical ZnO nanostructure flowers loaded with AgI nanoparticles for photodegradation of methylene blue under UV visible radiation

Abstract

Hierarchical ZnO spherical flowers loaded with different weight contents of AgI nanoparticles were synthesized by deposition-precipitation method at room temperature and tested for photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV visible light irradiation. The as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) connected with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). XRD patterns and SEM images of ZnO and AgI/ZnO hierarchical spherical flowers present pure phase of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure flowers and hexagonal wurtzite ZnO flowers supported with cubic AgI nanoparticles with size range of 80–90 nm on top. The photodegradation of MB was increased with increasing in the weight content of the loaded AgI nanoparticles on the surface of ZnO flowers. The 10% AgI/ZnO nanocomposites have the highest photocatalytic efficiency in degrading MB by h+ and ●OH as the main active species under visible light irradiation within 60 min.