Synthesis of ZnO Nanorods via Coprecipitation Method and its Sensitizing with Tetrakis (4-Carboxy Phenyl) Porphyrin and its Tin Complex to Enhance the Visible Light Photocatalytic Activity

In this article, ZnO nanorods were synthesized after the optimization of pH, temperature and time of reflax as well as calcination parameters via coprecipitation method. The average diameter size of synthesized nanorods is 90 nm and its structure is wurtzite hexagonal. In order to utilize of visible light in photocatalysis reactions efficiently, for the first time, the synthesized ZnO was sensitized with porphyrin compound which are reactive agent in visible light. The obtained photocatalysts were characterized through FT-IR, DRS, XRD and SEM analyses. To investigate the photocatalytic activity of synthesized photocatalysts, the photo degradation of dye pollutant such as methylene blue and methyl orange was carried out. The results showed that photocatalyst synthesized with porphyrin can degrade 89% of MB in the 240 min under visible light illumination. Therefore, porphyrin compounds are high effective agents in the activation of ZnO in the visible light.