Effect of Reaction Time on the Morphology and Photocatalytic Property of ZnO Nanoparticles

Abstract. ZnO nanoparticles with different morphology were synthesized through a one-step and low temperature hydrothermal method with different reaction time. The prepared ZnO nanoparticles have been used as photocatalysts for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution under UV irradiation to study the relationship between the morphology and photocatalytic performance. The phase, crystallographic structure and morphology of synthesised ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles were carried out by UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis). SEM results showed that different particle sizes and morphologies of flower-like, elliptical-shape and rod-shapes were obtained at 60 °C for 1 h, 4 h, 8 h and 12 h, which promoted photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution under UV light irradiation. Especially, elliptical-shape ZnOnanoparticles with reaction time of 4 h were most efficient, and the degradation rate was up to 98.2% after 20 min UV irradiation.