Deposition of Ag 2~6 mol%-Doped ZnO Photocatalyst Thin Films by Thermal Spray Coating Method for E.coli Bacteria Degradation

Abstract

ZnO doped with 2~6 mol% Silver (Ag) photocatalyst thin films has been deposited on glass substrate by thermal spray coating with temperature deposition of 250°C. A gel of ZnO:Ag precursor has been synthesized by sol-gel route from aqueous/alcoholic solution of zinc acetate dehydrate and silver nitrate mixture at room temperature. The morphology of ZnO:Ag films were investigated scanning electron microscopy (SEM). 3D SEM images of ZnO:Ag thin films show the rough morphology with roughness mean square (rms) of 150 to 195 nm. The grain size of ZnO:Ag films were found in the range 76,5 to 304,8 nm. The photoactivity examination of ZnO:Ag photocatalyst films show the E. Coli bacteria degraded up to 99.99% under sunlight irradiation for 4 hours.