3D printed ZTO nanomaterials for water purification using sunlight

• Autor(a) principal: Metelo, Ana Sofia Moura
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10362/163873
• topic: 3D printing; ZTO; Photocatalysis; Pollutant degradation; Functionalized pieces; Domínio/Área Científica::Engenharia e Tecnologia::Nanotecnologia

The present study investigates the effectiveness of 3D printed architectures functionalized by zinc tin oxide (ZTO) as photocatalysts for purifying water using sunlight. Zn2SnO4 nanoparticles were synthesized through a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method, which surpasses conventional methods due to its enhanced reaction kinetics, reduced reaction time, and improved production efficiency. The procedure was also successfully adapted to a microwave system of a larger scale. Two distinct designs (straight and curved), inspired by sea sponges, were successfully printed using a stereo-lithography (SLA) 3D printer. Spray coating and dip coatingwere effectivelyemployed as impregnation techniques to incorporate nanoparticles onto the surface of the 3D pieces, to provide photocatalytic properties. The photocatalytic activity of these functionalized 3D pieces was evaluated by testing their ability to degrade rhodamine B (RhB) under natural sunlight and UV light. The ZTO photocatalyst with a straight design and impregnated by spray coating technique exhibited the most efficient performance, achieving 85% degradation, under UV light, within a time frame of 360 minutes. Consequently, the sample with the best efficiency was subjected to reusability tests. Nanoparticles’ morphological and structural characterization was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) both equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), while for the 3D printed structures, SEM and EDS were employed. Optical characterization was carried out by reflectance measurements to determine the semiconductor optical band gap. The combination of ZTO’s advantageous characteristics and the versatility of 3D printing technology paves the way for innovative designs, intricate details, and faster production processes. This combination represents a significant advancement that holds great potential for revolutionizing various industries.