Synthesis and investigation of Indium doping and surfactant on the morphological, optical and UV/Vis photocatalytic properties of ZnO nanostructure

ZnO and Indium doped ZnO nanostructures with different morphologies have been synthesized by mild solvothermal method in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) and Tritron X-100 as cationic, anionic and nonionic surfactants, respectively. The hydrothermal growth mechanism was influenced by Indium impurity and surfactant. Hexagonal, flower, polyhedral and nearly spherical morphologies of ZnO were obtained. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. The role of surfactant charge on the ZnO growth orientation was investigated and related mechanism discussed. The highest degradation rate constant was observed for In doped flower-like ZnO synthesized using CTAB. The effects of In doping and surfactant charge on the structure, morphology, optical properties and photocatalytic activity (PCA) of ZnO nanostructures were investigated and discussed in detail. Obtained results can be utilized in the synthesis of ZnO NSs with desired growth orientation and consequently enhanced properties.