Ultrasonic spray pyrolysis deposited ZnO thin film for photocatalytic activity

Abstract

Ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) was used to deposit ZnO microflower shaped thin film on soda lime glass substrate for methylene blue degradation under ultraviolet light irradiation. Different molarity (0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 M) of the precursor solution was used to deposit the film. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy were used to find the phase of deposited ZnO and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) was used to know the shape of the deposited film. Microflower structure was formed in all the cases. ZnO with 0.15 M, degraded methylene blue around 94% within a time span of 210 minutes of UV light irradiation. Degradation rate for 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 M ZnO films are found to be 0.00197, 0.00402 and 0.00442 min-1 respectively. All the films are highly reusable.