Reduction of the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles for UV protection applications

Tsuzuki, Takuya, He, Rongliang, Wang, Jinfeng, Sun, Lu, Wang, Xungai, and Hocking, Rosalie (2012) Reduction of the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles for UV protection applications. International Journal of Nanotechnology, 9 (10-12). pp. 1017-1029.

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Abstract

The detrimental effects of UV radiation are having a significant impact on our life and environment. The development of effective UV shielding agents is therefore of great importance to our society. ZnO nanoparticles are considered to be one of the most effective UV blocking agents. However, the development of ZnO-based UV shielding products is currently hindered due to the adverse effects of the inherent photocatalytic activity exhibited by ZnO. This paper reports our recent study on the possibility of reducing the photoactivity of ZnO nanoparticles via surface modification and impurity doping. It was found that the photoactivity was drastically reduced by SiO2-coatings that were applied to ZnO quantum dots using the Stober method and a microemulsion technique. The effect of transition metal doping on the photoactivity was also studied using mechanochemical processing and a co-precipitation method. Cobalt doping reduced the photoactivity, while manganese doping led to mixed results, possibly due to the difference in the location of dopant ions derived from the difference in the synthesis methods.

Item ID: 28910
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1475-7435
Keywords: UV protection, ZnO, nanoparticles, photocatalytic activity, doping, surface modification
Funders: Australian Research Council (ARC)
Date Deposited: 21 Aug 2013 09:22
FoR Codes: 03 CHEMICAL SCIENCES > 0302 Inorganic Chemistry > 030207 Transition Metal Chemistry @ 100%
SEO Codes: 85 ENERGY > 8505 Renewable Energy > 850504 Solar-Photovoltaic Energy @ 50%
97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970103 Expanding Knowledge in the Chemical Sciences @ 50%
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