Microwave assisted synthesis of ZnO-PbS heterojuction for degradation of organic pollutants under visible light.

ZnO, PbS and ZnO-PbS heterojunction were prepared by microwave irradiation to improve the organic pollutants degradation under visible light irradiation. Hexagonal (wurtzite) and cubic crystal structure of ZnO and PbS respectively were confirmed by PXRD. Nano-plate, nano-sponge and nano-sponge imprinted over nano-sheet like morphology of ZnO, PbS and ZnO-PbS respectively were revealed through FESEM analysis. HR-TEM analysis provides the formation of heterojunction. XPS analysis shows the presence of the ZnO-PbS heterojunction. UV-Visible spectroscopy confirms the enhanced visible light response of ZnO-PbS heterojunction than the bare ZnO. The PL and EIS results indicate ZnO-PbS heterojunction exhibited lowest recombination of excitons and electron transfer resistance. Synergistic effect of ZnO-PbS heterojunction leads to efficient degradation against organic pollutants than bare ZnO and PbS. Aniline and formaldehyde were successfully degraded around 95% and 79% respectively, under solar light irradiation. As-prepared photocatalysts obeys pseudo first order reaction kinetics. HPLC analysis also confirms the successful mineralization of organic pollutants into water and CO.