The evaluation of photocorrosion of nanostructured ZnO thin films

European Corrosion Congress, EUROCORR 2016 --11 September 2016 through 15 September 2016 -- --The photocorrosion and degradation of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were studied in 0.05 M sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) solution in the dark and under UV illuminated (?: 254 nm) conditions. In this manner, the effect of UV irradiation upon degradation of ZnO nanostructures has been investigated. For this purpose, nanoplate structured ZnO films were synthesized electrochemically and exposed to above mentioned environmental conditions for periods ranging from 2 to 8 days. Electrochemical measurements, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) analysis were realized. Under dark conditions, it was shown that the OH" ions were effective for chemical dissolution of ZnO films. Under illumination conditions, the corrosion rate and degradation was found to be more highly rather than dark conditions. The dissolution kinetics has been highly influenced by the UV irradiation and this case caused to increase degradation of ZnO nanoplates. At the end of exposure to UV irradiation with 8 days, the morphology of ZnO thin films has changed dramatically. Additionally, the effect of morphological destruction caused by photocorrosion on the ZnO photocatalysis was examined by using sunlight solar simulator (AM 1.5G Spectral Match.) against anodic oxidation of ethanol in alkaline aqueous solution. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanostructures was determined to decrease by 46.65% after exposure UV irradiation during the 8 days. © 2016 Curran Associates Inc. All rights reserved