Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO/CuO Vertically Aligned Hierarchical Tree-like Nanostructure

Vertically aligned ZnO nanowire-based tree-like structures with CuO branches were synthesized on the basis of a multistep seed-mediated hydrothermal approach. The nanotrees form a p–n junction at the branch/stem interface that facilitates charge separation upon illumination. Photoelectrochemical mea...

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Published inLangmuir Vol. 34; no. 3; pp. 961 - 969
Main Authors Li, Zhengxin, Jia, Meng, Abraham, Baxter, Blake, Jolie C, Bodine, Daniel, Newberg, John T, Gundlach, Lars
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States American Chemical Society 23.01.2018
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Summary:Vertically aligned ZnO nanowire-based tree-like structures with CuO branches were synthesized on the basis of a multistep seed-mediated hydrothermal approach. The nanotrees form a p–n junction at the branch/stem interface that facilitates charge separation upon illumination. Photoelectrochemical measurements in different solvents show that ZnO/CuO hierarchical nanostructures have enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to that of the nonhierarchical structure of ZnO/CuO, pure ZnO, and pure CuO nanoparticles. The combination of ZnO and CuO in tree-like nanostructures provides opportunities for the design of photoelectrochemical sensors, photocatalytic synthesis, and solar energy conversion.
ISSN:0743-7463
1520-5827
DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.7b02840