Pan-Yong Kuang1, Jing-Run Ran2, Zhao-Qing Liu3,4, Hong-Juan Wang1, Nan Li1, Yu-Zhi Su1, Yong-Gang Jin5, Shi-Zhang Qiao6. 1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Environmentally Functional Materials and Technology, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Waihuan Xi Road No. 230, 510006 (P. R. China). 2. School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 (Australia). 3. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering/Guangzhou Key Laboratory for Environmentally Functional Materials and Technology, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Waihuan Xi Road No. 230, 510006 (P. R. China). lzqgzu@gzhu.edu.cn. 4. School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 (Australia). lzqgzu@gzhu.edu.cn. 5. CSIRO Energy Flagship, PO Box 883, Kenmore, QLD 4069 (Australia). 6. School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 (Australia). s.qiao@adelaide.edu.au.
Abstract
The development of highly efficient and robust photocatalysts has attracted great attention for solving the global energy crisis and environmental problems. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a p-n heterostructured photocatalyst, consisting of ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) decorated with BiOI nanoplates (NPs), by a facile solvothermal method. The product thus obtained shows high photoelectrochemical water splitting performance and enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity for pollutant degradation under visible light irradiation. The p-type BiOI NPs, with a narrow band gap, not only act as a sensitizer to absorb visible light and promote electron transfer to the n-type ZnO NRAs, but also increase the contact area with organic pollutants. Meanwhile, ZnO NRAs provide a fast electron-transfer channel, thus resulting in efficient separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs. Such a p-n heterojunction nanocomposite could serve as a novel and promising catalyst in energy and environmental applications.
The development of highly efficient and robust photocatalysts has attracted great attention for solving the global energy crisis and environmental problems. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a p-n heterostructured photocatalyst, consisting of pan class="Chemical">ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) decorated with BiOI nanopn>lates (NPs), by a facile solvothermal method. The product thus obtained shows high photoelectrochemical n>an class="Chemical">water splitting performance and enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity for pollutant degradation under visible light irradiation. The p-type BiOI NPs, with a narrow band gap, not only act as a sensitizer to absorb visible light and promote electron transfer to the n-type ZnO NRAs, but also increase the contact area with organic pollutants. Meanwhile, ZnO NRAs provide a fast electron-transfer channel, thus resulting in efficient separation of photoinduced electron-hole pairs. Such a p-n heterojunction nanocomposite could serve as a novel and promising catalyst in energy and environmental applications.
Authors: Benjamin O Orimolade; Babatunde A Koiki; Busisiwe N Zwane; Gbenga M Peleyeju; Nonhlangabezo Mabuba; Omotayo A Arotiba Journal: RSC Adv Date: 2019-05-28 Impact factor: 4.036
Authors: Eseoghene H Umukoro; Moses G Peleyeju; Azeez O Idris; Jane C Ngila; Nonhlangabezo Mabuba; Lydia Rhyman; Ponnadurai Ramasami; Omotayo A Arotiba Journal: RSC Adv Date: 2018-03-13 Impact factor: 3.361