Green synthesis of ZnO, Ag/ZnO photocatalyst on Sn foil at room temperature and physicochemical characterization for removal of methyl orange from wastewater

On the Sn foil, the new photocatalyst pyramid-like ZnO was first synthesized via the one-pot direct-precipitation method at room temperature, wherein NaOH works as an O source and Zn(CH3COO)2 works as a Zn source, respectively. The influence of growth conditions, optical properties, and photocatalytic activity of ZnO was investigated. The pyramid-like ZnO has higher photodegradation of methyl orange (MO), and excellent reuseability. The ZnO sample used after 20 cycles decomposed 50% MO in 150 min. Ag/ZnO has higher photodegradation than ZnO. The photoactivity properties were studied with Ag metal absorbed on the surface of pyramid-like ZnO. Ag not only modified the surface of ZnO, but also improved the photoactivity properties of the ZnO owing to the charge transfer resistance characteristic between Ag and ZnO. The samples were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray.