Microwave assisted synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles in ionic liquid [Bmim]cl and their photocatalytic investigation

In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized based on the chemical reaction of zinc acetate and NaOH in ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) under microwave irradiation. The prepared ZnO were characterized by utilizing various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–Vis spectroscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, and BET method. XRD pattern reveals the produced ZnO has hexagonal structure and the images of SEM and TEM also reveal it consists of nanoparticles with an average size between 15 and 25 nm. The role of the ionic liquid on morphology of ZnO was investigated. For this purpose, a control ZnO sample was prepared without using any [Bmim]Cl. Photocatalytic properties of the synthesized ZnO on degradation of malachite green dye as model pollutant was investigated. The effect of various parameters such as pH, concentration of the dye and catalyst on the degradation of malachite green was investigated. In order to explore the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of malachite green, scavenger addition method has been employed. It is found that hydroxide radicals are main reactive species for the degradation.