C@ZnO Self-assembly Composite Nanostructure with a Strong Absorption Capacity in UV–Visible Light and Its Optical Properties

Abstract

C@ZnO nanostructure was fabricated on ITO by an electrochemical deposition method using the three-electrode configuration at a constant potential and the mixture of zinc sulfate heptahydrate, potassium chloride, tris (hydroxymethyl) aminomethane, and dopamine were used as the electrolyte. ZnO seed layer was synthesized by a spin coating method with zinc acetate solution which increased the density of zinc oxide nanosheet and the modification of carbon improved the preferred growth along the (101) peak. Furthermore, the phases of the self-assembly systems were measured by an x-ray diffractometer, and the morphologies of the as-prepared products were measured by field emission scanning electron microscopy and measured the type and content of microelements by an energy dispersive spectrometer. Optical properties of the self-assembly products were measured by ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectrophotometer and photoluminescence. It has been found that ZnO and C@ZnO had different morphology and optical properties. We demonstrate that C@ZnO nanostructure shows a stronger photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue than that of pristine ZnO nanosheet under UV–Vis light.