Enhanced Photocatalytic Efficiency of ZnO-C-ZnO Sandwich Structures

Strategic Insights -

Research at Phenikaa University has led to the development of ZnO-C-ZnO sandwich structures using the spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD) technique under atmospheric pressure. The addition of a carbon powder, obtained from candle soot, has been found to significantly enhance the photocatalytic activity of the materials. The structures exhibited improved light absorption and charge carrier separation, leading to superior photocatalytic efficiency under UV light.

Key Takeaways:

  • The incorporation of carbon into ZnO thin films significantly enhances light absorption and charge carrier separation, leading to superior photocatalytic activity under UV light.
  • The ZnO-C-ZnO structures achieved an 88.2% degradation rate after 180 min in methylene blue degradation under UV-Vis irradiation, surpassing the 62.9% degradation observed for bare ZnO film.
  • The findings highlight the potential of ZnO-C-ZnO structures for environmental remediation and energy applications.
  • The research demonstrated the integration of a candle soot-derived carbon layer to improve material properties and enhance photocatalytic efficiency.
  • The investigation utilized the spatial atomic layer deposition (SALD) technique under atmospheric pressure to fabricate ZnO-C-ZnO sandwich structures.
  • The photocatalytic efficiency was assessed via methylene blue degradation under UV-Vis irradiation, revealing superior performance of ZnO-C-ZnO structures.

Statistics:

  • The ZnO-C-ZnO structures achieved an 88.2% degradation rate after 180 min in methylene blue degradation under UV-Vis irradiation.
  • The bare ZnO film showed a 62.9% degradation rate after 180 min in methylene blue degradation under UV-Vis irradiation.
  • The reduced bandgap of the ZnO-C-ZnO structures was 3.20 eV, compared to 3.27 eV for bare ZnO.
  • The analysis revealed weaker and broader peaks in ZnO-C-ZnO, suggesting reduced crystallite size and increased structural disorder due to carbon incorporation.

Sources:

  • ZnO-C-ZnO sandwich structures: Fabrication and photocatalytic applications. MethodsX, 2025;14:103326.
  • NewsRx. Phenikaa University Reports Findings in Photocatalytics (ZnO-C-ZnO sandwich structures: Fabrication and photocatalytic applications). Nanotechnology Weekly. May 19, 2025; p 1132.