Synthesis of ZnO nanostructure via CBD and solvothermal method using seed technique

ZnO nanorods were synthesized by using the seeds technique. The seeds were synthesized by the low-cost synthesis technique, the Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) method. Further, CBD and solvothermal methods used these seeds in the next deposition to coating. The XRD results confirm the formation of the ZnO hexagonal phase. FESEM high magnification images confirm the formation of hexagonal-shaped nanorods for Samples 1 and 3 and for Sample 2 mixed nanostructures of disk-like nanoparticles and nanorods were observed. Further, these nanorods were used as the catalytic material under the halogen lamp to study dye degradation. Samples 1 and 3 show degradation up to 55% and 68%, whereas Sample 3 showed a higher catalytic rate which degraded methyl orange 90% dye in 40min. The enhancement in catalytic activity is explained by structural, morphological, and optical properties. The deposition using the seeds technique enhanced the degradation efficiency. [Graphical abstract]