Combustion synthesis and photocatalytic properties of transition metal-incorporated ZnO

This paper describes the combustion synthesis and photocatalytic production of oxygen at room temperature from water using visible light in the presence of sacrificial reagent. The combustion synthesis photocatalysts have been characterized by powder XRD, DRS, BET method, and SEM. Powder XRD of all the transition metal-incorporated ZnO reveals crystalline nature of as-prepared powder whereas DRS of Mn and Co incorporated exhibit absorption peaks and absorption band in the visible regions. Photocatalytic study performed on all the photocatalysts results in production of oxygen and among them, cobalt doped zinc oxide is the best photocatalyst for oxygen production from water in presence of AgNO3 sacrificial reagent. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier B.V.