Synthesis, characterization, photocatalytic activity and gas sensing properties of zinc doped manganese oxide nanoparticles

In the present study, manganese oxide was synthesized via mechanochemical route, the surface of manganese oxide was modified by doping with zinc oxide. The synthesized material was characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, EDX, FTIR and Surface area, and pore size analyzer. The catalyst was found to be active against the photocatalytic degradation of textile dye (MB). The Zn doped MnO was found to be superior photocatalyst than MnO against the dye in similar reaction conditions. Different reaction parameters such as pH, hydroxyl scavenger activity, reaction temperature, and initial dye concentration of the dye and amount of the catalyst were also screened for the photocatalytic degradation of Methylene blue dye (MB). The material was also used as a gas sensor for the detection of a toxic gas Xylene. The sensitivity of Zn doped MnO was found to be approximately four times better then the undoped manganese oxide. The optimum temperature for as grown and Zn doped MnO was found to be 260 °C and 240 °C respectively. The observed activity and selectivity of Zn doped MnO at a low temperature have proved to be an ideal sensing material for xylene vapours.