Pt/Ni0.17Zn0.83O hybrids with enhanced photocatalytic performance: Effect of reduction treatments

Noble metal/semiconductor hybrids are potential photocatalysts due to their unique properties. Herein, Pt nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on Ni0.17Zn0.83O support via chemical reduction (using two different reducing agents, NaBH4 and ascorbic acid (AA)) and photo-deposition. The result analysis proved that the valences state (metallic Pt0, Pt2+ and Pt4+) and particle size of Pt were closely related to the reduction treatments. The photocatalytic properties of all samples were evaluated by degradation of Methyl orange (MO), and the photo-deposited Pt/Ni0.17Zn0.83O showed the best performance that the degradation rate reached 95% in 1.5 h and remained at 89% after 5 cycles. This study will give a deeper insight for the impact of reduction treatments and provides a new idea for future research. Keywords: Photocatalyst, Pt/Ni0.17Zn0.83O, Chemical reduction, Photo-deposition, Electron sink