Photocatalytic Water Purification with ZnO Thin Films in Demineralized as Well as Natural Waters

Jean‐Claude Grivel*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

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Abstract

ZnO films prepared on glass plates using a water based coating solution are characterized and tested for methylene blue dye photocatalytic decolourization in various types of waters (demineralized water, sea‐, and lake‐water). The influence of various parameters such as wavelength and attenuation of incident radiation by dye and/or organic matter is studied. In demineralized water, up to 90% decoloration is achieved within 1 h with 365 nm irradiation on a 10 ml solution. Although the ZnO films still show some activity when illuminated by standard visible light lamps, the efficiency of the photocatalytic process is greatly reduced. Natural waters result in a significant decrease of the photocatalytic activity, under both UV and visible light irradiation. The main factor is believed to be enhanced UV light absorption within the liquid. The influence of organic and mineral matter in natural waters is briefly discussed.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1800880
JournalPhysica Status Solidi - A - Applications and Materials Science
Volume216
Issue number44
Number of pages5
ISSN1862-6319
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Films
  • Methylene blue
  • Photocatalysis
  • Water cleaning
  • ZnO

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