Synthesis of Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles by Pechini sol-gel method and investigation of their photocatalytic properties

Zinc oxide is a semiconductor which has photo-catalyst properties and could be used for degradation of organic materials. In this research silver doped zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using Pechini sol-gel method in order to investigate its photo-catalyst properties. Nanoparticles show good photo-catalyst properties due to high surface area to volume ratio and adding of noble metals to semiconductor decreases recombination of electron-hole. Samples with different weight percentages of silver (0.6, 1.8, 3.1 and 6.2) were synthesized. Samples were characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Photo luminance Spectroscopy. Photo-catalyst properties of samples were analyzed by degradation of methylene blue. Results showed that Ag doping decreased the particle size of samples and the sample containing 1.8% Ag had maximum rate in degradation of methylene blue solution and this was coincidence with PL results. Adding of Ag to ZnO decreased recombination rate of electron-hole in oxide and therefore increased photo-catalyst properties of samples or degradation rate of solutions. To confirm the decolorization repeatability of the synthesized samples, three photocatalytic cycles were performed on the sample containing 1.8% wt% of silver. It was observed that the decolorization efficiency of sample was not significantly reduced, and it is indicate that the synthesized catalyst is stable and functional.