Comparison of the photocatalytic degradation of trypan blue by undoped and silver-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and silver doped zinc oxide (ZnO:Ag) nanoparticles were prepared using nitrates of zinc and silver as oxidizers and ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as a fuel via low-temperature combustion synthesis (LCS) at 500°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern indicates the presence of silver in the hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum indicates the presence of Ag–Zn–O stretching vibration at 510cm−1. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images shows that the average particle size of ZnO and ZnO:Ag nanoparticles were found to be 58nm and 52nm, respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data clearly indicates the presence of Ag in ZnO crystal lattice. The above characterization techniques indicate that the incorporation of silver affects the structural and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles. ZnO:Ag nanoparticles exhibited 3% higher photocatalytic efficiency than pure ZnO nanoparticles. ZnO:Ag nanoparticles show better photocatalytic activity for the degradation of trypan blue (TrB) compared to undoped ZnO nanoparticles.