Ag-ZnO Submicrometer Rod Arrays for High-Efficiency Photocatalytic Degradation of Congo Red and Disinfection

Ordered nanostructures are drawing a tremendous amount of attention for their potential applications in many fields. Herein, Ag-ZnO submicrometer arrays (SRA) were synthesized by a new polycarbonate membrane (PCM)-assisted electrochemical deposition method for photocatalytic degradation of Congo Red (CR) and disinfection. Ag-ZnO SRA were characterized by field emission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, steady-state surface photovoltage spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectrophotometry. Their photocatalytic degradation performance was investigated by the degradation of CR solution under a Xe lamp, and they were also used to carry out experiments of the antibacterial effect of E. coli. The Ag modification in ZnO SRA enhances the degradation of CR, as it suppresses the recombination of e^- and h⁺ and broadens the adsorption band from the UV region to visible light. Ag-ZnO SRA prepared in 0.25 M Ag⁺ concentration exhibit the highest photocatalytic degradation efficiency (91.9%) and largest reaction constant k with excellent stability. The Ag-ZnO SRA may find potential in organic pollutant treatment.