Zinc oxide nanoflakes for treatment of pollutants

Abstract

A method for preparing leaf like ZnO nanoflakes by anodization of zinc foil in a mixture of ammonium sulfate and sodium hydroxide electrolytes is described.

1 . An anodizing method for manufacturing zinc oxide nano flakes comprising:
 adding to a cell an anode electrode comprising a zinc film;   adding to the cell a platinum wire as cathode electrode and separated from the anode electrode by a distance of 2-4 cm;   adding an electrolyte to the cell, the electrolyte comprising a 0.0125 to 0.0375 molar solution of sodium hydroxide and 0.05 M solution of ammonium sulfate;   passing a current of 5 to 15 volts direct current to convert the zinc anode to zinc oxide for a period of 50 to 100 minutes; and,   removing and washing the anode as a source of nano flakes of zinc.   
     
     
         2 . The anodizing method of  claim 1 , wherein the zinc film is 0.2 mm thick. 
     
     
         3 . The anodizing method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface area of the film is 6.0 cm 2 . 
     
     
         4 . The anodizing method of  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the anode and the cathode electrodes is 3 cm. 
     
     
         5 . The anodizing method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the cell is between 20° C. and 30° C. 
     
     
         6 . The anodizing method of  claim 1 , wherein the current is passed for a period of 90 minutes. 
     
     
         7 . The anodizing method of  claim 1 , wherein the nano flakes have a leaf-shaped structure.