Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) possesses superior chemical and physical properties so that it can occupy an essential position in the application of nanostructures. In this paper, ZnO nano-rod arrays were synthesized by a simple one-step hydrothermal approach with the assistance of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Exposure of the {0001} facets could be controlled by adjusting the amount of CTAB and the maximum exposure of the {0001} facets of ZnO nanorods is obtained at 1.2 g of CTAB. The photocurrent, EIS, and PL measurements support the facile charge transfer with minimum recombination of the photogenerated excitons of the ZnO nano-rod arrays obtained at 1.2 g of CTAB. Consequently, the obtained ZnO nano-rod arrays at the optimal CTAB of 1.2 g exhibit an excellent photocatalytic degradation rate of 99.7% for rhodamine B (RhB), while the degradation rate of RhB by the ZnO obtained without CTAB is only 35%.
Highlights
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a typical n-type semiconductor with a tremendous free exciton binding energy (~60 meV) and a direct band gap (~3.37 eV), which makes ZnO become an important nanomaterial [1,2,3,4]
The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared ZnO nano-rod arrays was eValuated by degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye as a model dye under UV-vis light irradiation at room temperature
0.1 g of as-prepared ZnO nano-rod arrays produced with different amounts of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) was dispersed in a 200-mL glass beaker containing 100 mL RhB (20 mg/L) aqueous solution
Summary
ZnO is a typical n-type semiconductor with a tremendous free exciton binding energy (~60 meV) and a direct band gap (~3.37 eV), which makes ZnO become an important nanomaterial [1,2,3,4]. ZnO nanostructures demonstrate considerable superiority as photocatalysts for degrading pollutants through simple photocatalytic reactions. Since different morphologies of ZnO nanostructures show different optical and electrical properties, people do their best to find the superior fabrication process for ZnO nanostructures with excellent properties. The surfactant plays an important role in controlling the morphology of ZnO nanostructure. In our study, we adopted a typical cation active agent called CTAB for controlling the morphology of ZnO nanomaterials. Luo et al reported that ZnO nano-rod arrays exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for degrading pollutants [18]. Wen et al prepared ZnO nanostructures with exposed {1000} facets utilizing a solvothermal method, and ZnO nanorods with spires were obtained by adjusting the proportion of the complexing agent [9]. A simple one-step hydrothermal method is used to synthesize ZnO nanorod arrays with exposed {0001} crystal faces. Ltd., Tianjin, China) was used to wash precipitate followed by reaction progress, and distilled water was used throughout the experiment
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
