Simple solution-combusting synthesis of octahedral ZnFe2O4 nanocrystals and additive-promoted photocatalytic performance

Abstract

In this paper, we report a simple solution-combusting route for the one-step synthesis of octahedral ZnFe₂O₄ nanocrystals. Zn(CH₃COO)₂ and FeCl₃ were employed as the starting Zn and Fe sources, oxygen in the atmosphere as the oxygen source, and a mixture of ethanol and ethylene glycol with a volume ratio of 60/40 as the solvent. The final product was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (high resolution) transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). Experiments showed that under the assistance of some additives such as H₂O₂, H₂C₂O₄ and KOH, the as-obtained octahedral ZnFe₂O₄ nanocrystals could be used as monocomponent visible-light photocatalysts for the degradation of the organic dye methylene blue. The degradation mechanisms in various systems were discussed.