Synthesis and Characterization of Nano Clinoptilolite/Ag/ZnO zeolite

Nano semiconductors especially nanoparticles of ZnO is the most commonly used photocatalyst for a wide range of organic compounds. ZnO, with a direct band gap energy of 3.37 eV is an attractive material for fundamental research and industrial application. Due to its unique optical and electrical properties, it is very useful for solar cells, gas sensors, nanolasers, etc. [1]. Recently, researches have been devoted in searching for the suitable substrates to support ZnO in order to improve the recovery efficiency of ZnO. Many materials have been used as photocatalyst supports; among them zeolites are very important. Properties such as high surface area, individual micropores, a variety of channels and high resistance make zeolites as very useful materials in industrial applications and academic research [2]. There have been substantial interests in the metal ion doped semiconductors as promising materials for potential applications in various fields. It has been recognized that metal ion doping not only facilitate inter facial charge-transfer reaction and enhances their photocatalytic activities, but also modify the absorption spectrum of the metal oxide nanomaterials. Doping of ZnO with Ag+ into its lattice has been found enhanced the light absorption ability of ZnO nanomaterial as well as improved its gas sensing properties [3]. In this paper, natural zeolite supported Ag doped ZnO photocatalysts were synthesized. Based on this goal, XRD, FT-IR, DRS, SEM and BET are employed to investigate the composition, configuration and morphology of the photocatalysts.