Synthesis and characterization of Cr-doped ZnO nanorod-array photocatalysts with improved activity

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Solid State Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JSSC.2013.09.039· OSTI ID:22334251

Chang, Chi-Jung; Yang, Tsung-Lin; Weng, Yu-Ching

Immobilized photocatalysts with high catalytic activity under UV light were prepared by growing Cr-doped ZnO nanorods on glass substrates by a hydrothermal method. The effects of Cr dopant on the surface texture, crystallinity, surface chemistry, and photoinduced charge separation and their relation with the photocatalytic degradation of Cr-doped ZnO were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, diffuse reflectance spectra, photoelectrochemical scanning electrochemical microscopy, and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy. Adding the appropriate amount of Cr dopant is a powerful way to enhance the separation of charge carriers in ZnO photocatalyst. The photocatalytic activity was improved due to the increase in surface oxygen vacancies, the separation of charge carriers, modification of the band gap, and the large surface area of the doped ZnO nanorod photocatalyst. - Graphical abstract: Photoinduced charge separation and its relation with the photocatalytic degradation activity of Cr-doped ZnO were investigated by photoelectrochemical scanning electrochemical microscopy. - Highlights: • Cr dopant enhances separation of charge carries in ZnO nanorod photocatalyst. • Photoinduced charge carries separation monitored by PEC-SECM. • The higher the photocurrent is, the higher the photocatalytic activity is. • Degradation of DB86 dye solutions under visible light finished within 50 min. • Higher activity due to more oxygen vacancy, tuned band gap and more surface area.

• OSTI ID: 22334251
• Journal Information: Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Journal Name: Journal of Solid State Chemistry Vol. 214; ISSN 0022-4596; ISSN JSSCBI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
DOPED MATERIALS
HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS
NANOSTRUCTURES
OXYGEN
PHOTOCATALYSIS
PHOTOEMISSION
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SPECTRA
SPECTROSCOPY
SUBSTRATES
X RADIATION
ZINC OXIDES