Effect of sintering temperature on structural and photocatalytic properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles

Herein, we report the large-scale, low-temperature, solution combustion method for the synthesis of Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. The synthesized ZnO nanoparticles were annealed at four different temperatures and were then characterized in detail to investigate the morphological, structural, optical and compositional properties by using field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV‐vis spectroscopy, and EDX techniques. The detailed characterization revealed the large-scale growth, well-crystallinity, and hexagonal crystal phase of the prepared nanoparticles. The structural and morphological appearance of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles was improved by raising the sintering temperature. The synthesized nanoparticles were used as effective photocatalysts for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye and amoxicillin drug. The photocatalytic activities were evaluated by measuring the photodegradation rate of methyl orange and amoxicillin in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles under UV light irradiation. Interestingly, over 73 % of methyl orange and 98 % of amoxicillin were degraded in 180 min using 0.05 g of ZnO nanoparticles. • Solution combustion route facilitate high-yielding synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles. • Eco-friendly and economical ZnO NPs produced by the solution-combustion technique. • Prepared ZnO nanoparticles at different annealing temperatures. • Optical properties, size, shape and stability of ZnO NPs was studied. • ZnO NPs exhibit promising photocatalytic degradation of dyes and drugs.