Huey-shya GOH, Rohana ADNAN, Muhammad Akhyar FARRUKH

ZnO nanoflake arrays prepared via anodization and their performance in the photodegradation of methyl orange

In the present work, anodization of zinc foil was investigated in a mixed electrolyte of ammonium sulfate and sodium hydroxide under the influence of different anodization times and concentrations of the electrolyte while the temperature and voltage were kept constant. The ZnO nanoflake arrays formed on Zn foil were characterized using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The size of the nanoflakes increased as the anodization time increased, while increasing the concentration of (NH4)2SO4 increased the dissolution of the nanoflakes. Upon stirring, the nanoflakes that formed were more uniform and smaller in size. The catalytic activity of ZnO nanoflakes in the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO) solution under UV irradiation was evaluated. The results indicated that the surface morphology, size, and surface area of ZnO nanoflake arrays were key factors influencing the efficiency of ZnO in the photodegradation of MO.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Anodization, zinc oxide, nanoflakes, photodegradation, methyl orange

ZnO nanoflake arrays prepared via anodization and their performance in the photodegradation of methyl orange

Keywords:

Anodization, zinc oxide, nanoflakes, photodegradation, methyl orange,

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Conclusions
In conclusion, ZnO of various nanostructures and sizes was successfully prepared via anodization of Zn foil under diﬀerent anodic conditions. The morphology of ZnO was found to be aﬀected by anodization time, concentration of electrolyte, electrolytes used, and stirring eﬀects. ZnO nanoﬂakes were formed in a mixture of (NH4)2SO
NaOH electrolytes. The size of the nanoﬂakes increased as the anodization time increased. More uniform but smaller nanoﬂakes formed upon stirring. Increasing the concentration of (NH4)2SO4increased the dissolution of nanoﬂakes.
, respectively, showing the highest activity reported in the literature. The activity of ZnO prepared in 0.05 M NaOH was found to be higher than that of all of the samples mentioned above, with a Şrst-order rate constant value of 0.0285 min −1 .