Enhanced photocatalytic activities of Ag/ZnO powders modified by diblock copolymer.

Ag/ZnO powders were synthesized through a pptn. method, using poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide) as stabilizer. X-ray diffraction patterns of all prepd. powders showed a mixed phase of Ag and ZnO. The existence of metallic Ag on the surface of all prepd. ZnO powders was confirmed by XPS. Their photocatalytic activities were investigated through the degrdn. of a methylene blue soln. under blacklight illumination. The Ag/ZnO prepd. from the Zn2+ soln. contg. 7 mol% of Ag+ had the highest photocatalytic activity and this also showed better photocatalytic activity than a com. ZnO powder. [on SciFinder(R)]