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<p>The removal of dyes and recovery of valuable metals from wastewater are critical environmental challenges. This study optimized the synthesis of Ag-photodeposited ZnO thin films for enhanced photocatalytic dye degradation and self-cleaning applications. ZnO thin films were synthesized using the sol-gel dip-coating method with precursor concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 M. XRD analysis revealed a c-axis preferential orientation with crystallite sizes increasing from 24 nm (0.3 M) to 35 nm (0.6 M). SEM images showed uniform surfaces at 0.6 M, while 1.2 M samples exhibited aggregation. Film thickness increased from 91 nm at 0.3 M to 660 nm at 1.2 M, with an associated decrease in optical band gap from 3.85 eV to 3.23 eV. Photocatalytic performance was evaluated by degrading methylene blue (MB) under sunlight. The ZnO film at 0.6 M achieved the highest MB degradation efficiency of ~99% after 4 h. Silver nitrate photodeposition further enhanced photocatalytic activity, with XRD confirming Ag<sub>2</sub>O formation and SEM showing Ag<sub>2</sub>O nanoparticles (9–15 nm) well-dispersed on ZnO surfaces. The Ag<sub>2</sub>O/ZnO composite with 0.2 g/L AgNO<sub>3</sub> achieved 85% MB degradation in 3 h. Self-cleaning tests revealed increased hydrophobicity, with the contact angle rising from 63° (0.3 M) to 85° (1.2 M). This study demonstrates the novelty of combining sol-gel synthesis with photodeposition to produce ZnO-based photocatalysts with superior structural, morphological, and functional properties. These findings contribute to advanced materials development for wastewater treatment and self-cleaning applications.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Enhanced photocatalytic and self-cleaning performance of Ag2O-photodeposited ZnO thin films synthesized via sol-gel method for wastewater treatment applications

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月25日

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  • Ferial Belhamra,
  • Elhachmi Guettaf Temam,
  • Saâd Rahmane,
  • Mohammed Althamthami,
  • NadjetteBelhamra

摘要

The removal of dyes and recovery of valuable metals from wastewater are critical environmental challenges. This study optimized the synthesis of Ag-photodeposited ZnO thin films for enhanced photocatalytic dye degradation and self-cleaning applications. ZnO thin films were synthesized using the sol-gel dip-coating method with precursor concentrations ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 M. XRD analysis revealed a c-axis preferential orientation with crystallite sizes increasing from 24 nm (0.3 M) to 35 nm (0.6 M). SEM images showed uniform surfaces at 0.6 M, while 1.2 M samples exhibited aggregation. Film thickness increased from 91 nm at 0.3 M to 660 nm at 1.2 M, with an associated decrease in optical band gap from 3.85 eV to 3.23 eV. Photocatalytic performance was evaluated by degrading methylene blue (MB) under sunlight. The ZnO film at 0.6 M achieved the highest MB degradation efficiency of ~99% after 4 h. Silver nitrate photodeposition further enhanced photocatalytic activity, with XRD confirming Ag2O formation and SEM showing Ag2O nanoparticles (9–15 nm) well-dispersed on ZnO surfaces. The Ag2O/ZnO composite with 0.2 g/L AgNO3 achieved 85% MB degradation in 3 h. Self-cleaning tests revealed increased hydrophobicity, with the contact angle rising from 63° (0.3 M) to 85° (1.2 M). This study demonstrates the novelty of combining sol-gel synthesis with photodeposition to produce ZnO-based photocatalysts with superior structural, morphological, and functional properties. These findings contribute to advanced materials development for wastewater treatment and self-cleaning applications.

Graphical Abstract