Optimization method of the solvothermal parameters using Box-Behnken experimental design : the case study of ZnO structural and catalytic tailoring

Kovács, Zoltán (author), Molnár, Csanád (author), Lavrenčič Štangar, Urška (author), Cristea, Vasile-Mircea (author), Pap, Zsolt (author), Hernadi, Klara (author), Baia, Lucian (author)

ZnO photocatalysts were synthesized via solvothermal method and a reduced experimental design (Box–Behnken) was applied to investigate the influence of four parameters (temperature, duration, composition of the reaction mixture) upon the photocatalytic activity and the crystal structure of ZnO. The four parameters were correlated with photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange and the ratio of two crystallographic facets ((002) and (100)) using a quadratic model. The quadratic model shows good fit for both responses. The optimization experimental results validated the models. The ratio of the crystal facets shows similar variation as the photocatalytic activity of the samples. The water content of the solvent is the primary factor, which predominantly influence both responses. An explanation was proposed for the effect of the parameters and how the ratio of (002) and (100) crystal facets is influenced and its relation to the photocatalytic activity. The present research laconically describes a case study for an original experimental work, in order to serve as guideline to deal with such complicated subjects as quantifying influence of synthesis parameters upon the catalytic activity of the obtained ZnO.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Box–Behnken design (BBD), zinc oxide, ZnO, photocatalysis, solvothermal crystallization, optimization
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FKKT - Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2021
• Number of pages: 20 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 11, iss. 5, art. 1334
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-135438
• UDC: 546.47-31
• ISSN on article: 2079-4991
• DOI: 10.3390/nano11051334
• COBISS.SI-ID: 64727043
• Publication date in RUL: 15.03.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Nanomaterials
• Shortened title: Nanomaterials
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2079-4991
• COBISS.SI-ID: 523286297

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 19.05.2021

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: Box-Behnken dizajn, cinkov oksid, fotokataliza, solvotermalna kristalizacija, optimizacija