A review on microwave synthesis of ZnO/SiO2 composites as efficient photocatalyst
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34117/bjdv11n5-092Keywords:
photocatalyst, microwave, ZnO/SiO2 catalystsAbstract
The application of semiconductor material, like zinc oxide (ZnO), for photocatalytic has become an effective method for the elimination of organic contaminants. The wide band gap of ZnO, approximately 3.37 eV, however restricts its activation under UV irradiation, while the fast recombination of electron-hole pairs generated as a result of photon interaction depreciates its photocatalytic efficiency. To overcome these shortcomings, silicon dioxide (SiO₂) was used as a substrate material to improve the distribution of nanoparticles, increase the surface area, and maintain the activity and stability of ZnO during the photocatalytic process. Microwave-assisted synthesis possesses numerous benefits like efficiency in energy consumption, reducing the reaction time, and being able to form smaller crystalline and uniform particles, thereby overcoming the traditional synthesis techniques. This review presents an overall description of the microwave synthesis techniques utilized to synthesize ZnO/SiO2 composites in terms of their structural, morphological, and optical properties as analyzed through techniques like X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) Spectroscopy, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The combined effects of microwave synthesis and SiO2 addition result in enhanced photocatalytic degradation rates of organic pollutants under UV irradiation as a result of improved nanoparticle dispersion, increased active surface sites, and effective charge separation at the ZnO/SiO2 interface. These results demonstrate the potential of microwave-assisted ZnO/SiO2 composites as efficient, environmentally friendly composites for bioremediation applications, especially in the degradation of dyed wastewater. Some future research directions include optimizing synthesis conditions, investigating doping methods to extend light absorption in the visible range, and evaluating photosynthetic activities under solar irradiation to achieve industrially feasible applications.
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