PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF METHYL ORANGE BY USING OF MODIFIED ZnO NANOPARTICLES

modified ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method. In this study Ca metal has been used to preventing of electrons and holes couple in the photocata-lytic process. The synthesized nanoparticles were character-ized by using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and spectrophoto-meter UV-Vis. Results revealed morphology of hexagonal and spherical with average size of 30 nm for pure ZnO nanoparticles and 50 nm for Ca-doped ZnO nanoparticles. The doped ZnO nanoparticles have more activity in visible area compared to undoped particles. Photocatalyticactivity of nanoparticles was measured by degradation of methyl orange as a pollutant under radiation of ultraviolet. Ca doped ZnO nanoparticles had higher efficiency in degradation of methyl orange because of the placement of Ca at donor level and preventing recombination of excited electrons and holes of valance band.