Spin-coated ZnO Thin Films for Dye Degradation Applications

Abstract

ZnO has emerged as a potential photocatalyst for the degradation of dyes. In this work, we have investigated the influence of morphology and thickness of the ZnO thin films on degradation efficiency of crystal violet (CV) dyes. The ZnO thin films were deposited on glass substrates using spin-coating method. The films were dried at different temperatures in the range of 150 - 300 C and annealed at 350, 450 and 500 oC. The films were characterized using a variety of techniques such as X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV- Visible spectrophotometry and Raman studies. The photocatalytic activity of these films was assessed through its degradation kinetics of CV dye solution. The highest photocatalytic efficiency was shown by two-coated ZnO thin film dried at 200 oC and annealed at 350 oC, which can be attributed to the increased roughness and enhanced surface area of the films.