Abstract
In this work, two synthesis routes were applied to investigate the effect of citrates on the construction of the ZnO structure. Well-dispersed ZnO plates with (001) facet highly exposed were prepared via one-step hydrothermal route, while ZnO nanoparticles were obtained via two-step route. In one-step route, citrates were added before the formation of Zn(OH)2 precursor, while citrates were added after the formation of Zn(OH)2. For the first time, the interaction between citrates and the Zn(OH)2 precursor was investigated and citrates that participated in the formation of Zn(OH)2 were the main cause for (001) facet exposed structure construction. A growth mechanism about the formation of ZnO plates in the presence of citrates was proposed. The as-prepared ZnO plates showed enhanced photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue (MB).
Highlights
Nanocrystals with high surface energy tend to have exceptional properties in practical applications [1]
ZnO is a promising semiconductor material which has been widely studied in many fields and it was found that ZnO with (001) facet highly exposed shows excellent performance in gas sensing [2], photocatalysis [3] and dye-sensitized solar cells [4]
N-butylamine [8], sodium sulfosuccinate [9] and ethylenediamine [10] have been wildly used as capping molecule in construction of (001) facet exposed ZnO structures
Summary
Nanocrystals with high surface energy tend to have exceptional properties in practical applications [1]. (001) facet of ZnO tends to disappear during crystal growth due to its high surface energy, resulting in the intrinsic 1D structures such as whiskers, nanobelts and nanowires [5]. Other methods have been developed to construct (001) facet exposed ZnO structures. Compared to the demanding condition or complex operation of other methods, capping-molecule-assisted solution synthesis provides a more practical, controllable and expandable way to get (001) facet exposed ZnO structures. N-butylamine [8], sodium sulfosuccinate [9] and ethylenediamine [10] have been wildly used as capping molecule in construction of (001) facet exposed ZnO structures
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