Structural, Optical and Photocatalytic Properties of Cu2+ Doped ZnO Nanorods with Using HMTA Solvent Prepared by Hydrothermal Method

In this experiment, Cu2+ doped ZnO (Cu-ZnO) nanorods materials have been fabricated by hydrothermal method. Cu2+ ions were doped into ZnO with ratios of 2, 5 and 7 mol.% (compared to the mole’s number of Zn2+). The hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) solvent used for the fabrication of Cu-ZnO nanorods with the mole ratio of Zn2+:HMTA = 1:4. The characteristics of the materials were analyzed by techniques, such as XRD, Raman shift, SEM and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The photocatalytic properties of the materials were investigated by the decomposition of the methylene blue (MB) dye solution under ultraviolet light. The results show that the size of Cu-ZnO nanorods was reduced when the Cu2+ doping ratio increased from 2 mol.% to 7 mol.%. The decomposition efficiency of the MB dye solution reached 92% - 97%, corresponding to the Cu2+ doping ratio changed from 2 - 7 mol.% (after 40 minutes of ultraviolet irradiation). The highest efficiency for the decomposition of the MB solution was obtained at a Cu2+ doping ratio of 2 mol.%.