Description:
Mn-doped ZnO samples with Mn concentration from 5% to 15% were successfully synthesized using sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction results showed the expansion of the unit cells with the increase of Mn concentration, indicates that Mn ions substituted into the lattice of ZnO. XRD patterns also showed the formation of secondary phase ZnMnO3 in the samples, the mass ratio of ZnMnO3:ZnO increases with the increase of Mn concentration. The appearance of secondary phase ZnMnO3 can be seen on the Scanning Electron Microscope images of doped samples. The UV-vis spectra revealed that the band-gap of doped sample decreases when the doping concentration increases, caused by the incorporation of Mn in ZnO lattice. The photocatalytic activity of Mn-doped ZnO samples were tested using photodegradation of 10 ppm blue methylene (MB) solution illustrated by UV radiations. Doped samples show higher results in photodegradation of MB solution, suggest that the bandgap narrowing plays an important role in the photocatalytic activity of Mn-doped ZnO samples.
Organisation: Research Institute of Creative Education
Innovator(s): Nguyen Huong Thao, Nguyen Dang Duong, Vu Tuan Minh, Dao Xuan Huy, Chu Nguyen Duc Dung, Tran Nguyen Dat, Vu Bao An
Category: Young inventors
Country: Vietnam