Towards a higher photostability of ZnO photo-electrocatalysts in the degradation of organics by using MMO substrates

In this work, it is proposed a novel strategy to increase the photostability of ZnO photoelectrocatalyst under prolonged light irradiation, without addition or deposition metals and/or semiconductor oxides during their synthesis. This based on use mixed metal oxide (MMO-Ru0.3Ti0.7O2) coating as substrate for electrodeposition ZnO. To assess it, films Ti and Ti/MMO substrates photoelectrocatalytic activity these materials degradation herbicide clopyralid were studied. The results showed that directly influenced photo-stability film. Under incidence UV polarization, Ti/MMO/ZnO electrode greater photocurrent stability compared Ti/ZnO, which very important outcome because behavior electrodes was similar when in terms clopyralid. Single electrolysis not able degrade efficiently at different potentials However, irradiation polarized surface Ti/ZnO increased markedly rate A synergistic effect observed between since twice high photoelectrocatalysis (PhEC) than photocatalysis (PhC) intermediates formed. From results, mechanisms PhC PhEC systems with presented. Therefore, could be cheap simple alternative applied efficient photodegradation organic pollutants, presenting great advantage having facile synthesis capacity work relatively low potentials.