Synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic properties of surface-modified, silver-doped ZnO

Hydrothermal synthesis of silver-doped modified ZnO was carried out in the presence of a surface modifier. The experimental conditions were maintained constant (ZnO = 4 M; T = 250 °C; P = autogenous; Solvent = 1 N HCl; Duration = 24 h). Caprylic acid was used as a surface modifier with varying concentration from 0.1 to 2 mL. The experiments were carried out with Ag doping from 1 to 5 wt%. Hydrophobic silver-doped ZnO modified with caprylic acid was subjected to a systematic characterization using powder XRD, SEM, FTIR, and photocatalytic properties using Indigo Carmine dye.