Photocatalytic removal of NO and HCHO over nanocrystalline Zn2SnO4microcubes for indoor air purification

Zhihui Ai, Shuncheng Lee, Yu Huang, Wingkei Ho, Lizhi Zhang

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

81 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nanocrystalline Zn2SnO4microcubes were hydrothermally synthesized and systematically characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, N2adsorption-desorption, and UV-vis DRS analysis. The resulting Zn2SnO4microcubes with the edge size ranging from 0.8 to 1.2μm were composed of numerous nanoparticles with size of 10-20nm, and their optical band gap energy was estimated to be 3.25eV from the UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra. On degradation of nitrogen monoxide (NO) and formaldehyde (HCHO) at typical concentrations for indoor air quality, these nanocrystalline Zn2SnO4microcubes exhibited superior photocatalytic activity to the hydrothermally synthesized ZnO, SnO2, and Degussa TiO2P25, as well as C doped TiO2under UV-vis light irradiation. This enhanced photocatalytic activity of the nanocrystalline Zn2SnO4microcubes was attributed to their bigger surface areas, smaller particle size, special porous structures, and special electronic configuration. The nanocrystalline Zn2SnO4microcubes were chemically stable as there was no obvious deactivation during the multiple photocatalytic reactions. This work presents a promising approach for scaling-up industrial production of Zn2SnO4nanostructures and suggests that the synthesized nanocrystalline Zn2SnO4microcubes are promising photocatalysts for indoor air purification.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)141-150
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials
Volume179
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2010

Keywords

  • HCHO
  • NO
  • Photocatalysis
  • Zn SnO 2 4

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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