SORPTION AND PHOTOCATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF Zn1-xCuxO (x = 0,05 AND 0,15) TO As(III) IN AN ALKALINE MEDIUM

Abstract

1D solid solutions Zn1-xCuxO and composites Zn1-xCuxO / CuO with spherical morphology of aggregates from formate glycolate complexes Zn1-xCux (HCOO)(OCH2CH2O)1/2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0,15) were obtained. All materials have been tested in the reaction of As(III) photooxidation upon exposure to ultraviolet and visible radiation. It was found that copper is an effective doping impurity in the composition of the solid solution Zn1-xCuxO (0 ≤ x ≤ 0,1). Its presence in the shell of the Zn1-xCuxO / CuO composite negatively affects the photoactivity of the material up to suppression of photocatalysis in the visible light range. The sorption efficiency of materials for arsenic is also shown, regardless of the composition and morphology of the material. According to x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data, the surface of the samples after sorption contains arsenic mainly in the form of As(III).

Keywords

• zinc oxide
• nanoheterostructures
• synthesis
• precursors
• morphology
• microstructure
• defective structure
• dynamics of electronic excitations
• photocatalysts