RESUMEN
ZnO-ZnS core-shell nanorods are synthesized by combining the hydrothermal method and vacuum sputtering. The core-shell nanorods with variable ZnS shell thickness (7-46 nm) are synthesized by varying ZnS sputtering duration. Structural analyses demonstrated that the as-grown ZnS shell layers are well crystallized with preferring growth direction of ZnS (002). The sputtering-assisted synthesized ZnO-ZnS core-shell nanorods are in a wurtzite structure. Moreover, photoluminance spectral analysis indicated that the introduction of a ZnS shell layer improved the photoexcited electron and hole separation efficiency of the ZnO nanorods. A strong correlation between effective charge separation and the shell thickness aids the photocatalytic behavior of the nanorods and improves their photoresponsive nature. The results of comparative degradation efficiency toward methylene blue showed that the ZnO-ZnS nanorods with the shell thickness of approximately 17 nm have the highest photocatalytic performance than the ZnO-ZnS nanorods with other shell layer thicknesses. The highly reusable catalytic efficiency and superior photocatalytic performance of the ZnO-ZnS nanorods with 17 nm-thick ZnS shell layer supports their potential for environmental applications.
RESUMEN
ZnO-ZnS core-shell composite rods were synthesized using a two-step facile hydrothermal methodology wherein different sulfidation durations were employed. The effects of sulfidation duration on the morphology and crystalline quality of ZnS shell layers on the surfaces of ZnO rods were investigated. A ZnS shell layer with visible granular features was obtained in the adequately controlled 3 h sulfidation process. A structural analysis demonstrated that the ZnS shell layers of ZnO-ZnS composite rods synthesized after 3 h sulfidation were in a well-defined crystalline cubic zinc blend phase. Moreover, optical properties revealed that these composite rods had a higher light-harvesting ability than those obtained after 1 and 2 h sulfidation. The density of surface crystal defects and the photoexcited charge separation efficiency of the composite rods were associated with changes in the microstructure of the synthesized ZnS shell layers. The optimal sulfidation duration of 3 h for the ZnO-ZnS composite rods resulted in the highest photocatalytic activity for the given photodegradation test conditions. The improved light harvesting and charge transport at the ZnO-ZnS heterointerface accounted for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of the ZnO-ZnS composite rods synthesized after 3 h sulfidation.
RESUMEN
TiO2-CdO composite rods were synthesized through a hydrothermal method and sputtering thin-film deposition. The hydrothermally derived TiO2 rods exhibited a rectangular cross-sectional crystal feature with a smooth surface, and the as-synthesized CdO thin film exhibited a rounded granular surface feature. Structural analyses revealed that the CdO thin film sputtered onto the surfaces of the TiO2 rods formed a discontinuous shell layer comprising many island-like CdO crystallites. The TiO2-CdO composite rods were highly crystalline, and their surfaces were rugged. A comparison of the NO2 gas-sensing properties of the CdO thin film, TiO2 rods, and TiO2-CdO composite rods revealed that the composite rods exhibited superior gas-sensing responses to NO2 gas than did the CdO thin film and TiO2 rods, which can be attributed to the microstructural differences and the formation of heterojunctions between the TiO2 core and CdO crystallites.
RESUMEN
Well-crystallized Sn2S3 semiconductor thin films with a highly (111)-crystallographic orientation were grown using RF sputtering. The surface morphology of the Sn2S3 thin films exhibited a sheet-like feature. The Sn2S3 crystallites with a sheet-like surface had a sharp periphery with a thickness in a nanoscale size, and the crystallite size ranged from approximately 150 to 300 nm. Postannealing the as-synthesized Sn2S3 thin films further in ambient air at 400 °C engendered roughened and oxidized surfaces on the Sn2S3 thin films. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the surfaces of the Sn2S3 thin films transformed into a SnO2 phase, and well-layered Sn2S3-SnO2 heterostructure thin films were thus formed. The Sn2S3-SnO2 heterostructure thin film exhibited a visible photoassisted room-temperature gas-sensing behavior toward low concentrations of NO2 gases (0.2-2.5 ppm). By contrast, the pure Sn2S3 thin film exhibited an unapparent room-temperature NO2 gas-sensing behavior under illumination. The suitable band alignment at the interface of the Sn2S3-SnO2 heterostructure thin film and rough surface features might explain the visible photoassisted room-temperature NO2 gas-sensing responses of the heterostructure thin film on exposure to NO2 gas at low concentrations in this work.
RESUMEN
The ZnO-CdS core-shell composite nanorods with CdS shell layer thicknesses of 5 and 20 nm were synthesized by combining the hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods with the sputtering thin-film deposition of CdS crystallites. The microstructures and optical properties of the ZnO-CdS nanorods were associated with the CdS shell layer thickness. A thicker CdS shell layer resulted in a rougher surface morphology, more crystal defects, and a broader optical absorbance edge in the ZnO-CdS rods. The ZnO-CdS (20 nm) nanorods thus engaged in more photoactivity in this study. When they were further subjected to a postannealing procedure in ambient Ar/H2, this resulted in the layer-like CdS shell layers being converted into the serrated CdS shell layers. By contrast, the ZnO-CdS nanorods conducted with the postannealing procedure exhibited superior photoactivity and photoelectrochemical performance; the substantial changes in the microstructures and optical properties of the composite nanorods following postannealing in this study might account for the observed results.