Platinum/zinc oxide nanoparticles: Enhanced photocatalysts degrade malachite green dye under visible light conditions

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) were prepared via a sol–gel method, and a photo-assisted deposition method was used to prepare platinum on zinc oxide nanoparticles (Pt/ZnO). Several techniques were used to characterize these enhanced photocatalysts: XRD, TEM, UV–vis spectra, PL spectra, XPS, and BET surface area analysis. As-prepared samples’ photocatalytic performances were studied via degradation of malachite green dye under various visible-light-only irradiation scenarios. Results demonstrated the following: platinum (Pt) was well dispersed on and in ZnO's surfaces and pores; as such, Pt/ZnO had less surface area than pure ZnO due to pore blockage; however, advantages gained from enhanced electron-hole separation and decreased band gap width more than made up for this negative effect; moreover, Pt/ZnO prepared with 0.3 wt% Pt exhibited the lowest band gap and the highest photocatalytic activity of the various samples with a solids loading of 0.8 g/l; finally, such samples were recyclable, i.e., photocatalytic performance remained stable even after five uses.