| Abstract [eng] |
ZnO is used as a multifunctional material due to its unique physical and chemical properties: wide absorption range, high chemical stability, high electrochemical binding coeficient, paramagnetic nature and photostability. One of the most important properties of ZnO is the photocatalytic activity, which allows it to decompose pollutants and water into hydrogen and oxygen gases. Therefore, the aim of this work was to synthesize zinc oxide by thermal synthesis, to form ZnO thin film films by electrophoresis and to study their photocatalytic properties. ZnO was synthesized using thermal synthesis method at 400–600 °C temperature for 1 hour. The structure and morphology of the sample were determined using: X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy. Studies have shown that the shape and size of the particles depend on the synthesis temperature. The ZnO, synthesized at 400–450 ° C temperature, formed single cylindrical particles (size 0.493–0.578 μm). ZnO, synthesized at 500 °C temperature, morphology changed to agglomerates formed from individual cylinders (size 0.471 μm). At higher temperatures, the synthesized ZnO formed only agglomerates of cylindrical particles (0.295–0.343 μm). Zinc, oxygen and carbon were detected in all samples. Additionally, synthesized ZnO was further deposited on electrically conductive glass electrodes and maintained the constant potential 15–30 V, the step - 5 V, the electrolysis time 5–30 min (step – 5 min). It was found, that the most photochemically active, productive and stable thin film was formed from ZnO synthesized at 500 °C temperature, at a voltage of 25 V and an electrolysis time of 20 min. It produced the highest photocurrent value (11.95 μA/cm2), the highest photoelectrochemical and photoconversion efficiency values (2.65% and 1.49%). |
