Abstract: The nano-V2O5/ZnO photocatalyst samples with different V2O5 contents were prepared by the ammonia immersion method. The crystal structure, specific surface area, particle morphology, surface composition, and spectral characteristics were analyzed byX-raydiffraction, N2 adsorption, transmission electron microscopy,X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, respectively. The catalytic activity of the V2O5/ZnO photocatalyst samples for degradation of nonylphenyl poly(oxyethylene)ether(NPE-10) was measured under the irradiation with ultraviolet light and visible light. The crystal size of V2O5/ZnO decreased but its specific surface area increased slightly with the increase of V2O5 content. Compared with the nano-ZnO, the binding energy of V 2p in V2O5/ZnO decreased, but the binding energy of Zn 2p and O 1s increased. The amounts of hydroxyl oxygen and adsorbed oxygen on the V2O5/ZnO surface increased remarkably in contrast to those of the ZnO sample. The catalytic activity of the 2.5% V2O5/ZnO photocatalyst (where 2.5% meansn(V)/n(Zn)value) was the highest, and the degradation rate of NPE-10 was about 79% and 61% under the irradiation of ultraviolet light and visible light for3 h, respectively.

Key words: vanadic oxide, zinc oxide, photocatalyst, ultraviolet light, visible light, nonylphenyl poly(oxyethylene)ether, degradation