Facile fabrication of nitrogen-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles with enhanced photocatalytic performance

Nitrogen (N)-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) particles were successfully synthesised by a simple and economical ammonia-assisted hydrothermal method. The samples were characterised by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet-vis diffuse reflectance. It was found that N-doped ZnO exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than commercial Degussa P25 towards the liquid-phase degradation of Rhodamine B and methylene blue under simulation of solar light. The authors attribute these results to enhanced visible-light absorption ability and efficient separation of photogenerated carriers. The authors hope that this study provides valuable information on the design of specific ZnO photocatalytic materials for further industrial application.