Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Xiaoyu Xie, Ru Wang, Jinping Chen, Yi Ma, Zhiyong Li, Qiannan Cui, Zengliang Shi, Chunxiang Xu
Summary: This study synthesized hydrophilic polypyrrole and graphitic carbon nitride decorated zinc oxide nanorod arrays as a photoanode, which exhibited enhanced performance and stability for photoelectrochemical water splitting. The modified g-C3N4 nanosheets broadened the light absorption range and suppressed the recombination of photogenerated charges, while the polypyrrole coating layer inhibited the dissolution and corrosion of zinc oxide nanorods and facilitated the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers. The hydrophilic surface of the photoanode provided a large electrochemically active surface area for efficient charge/mass transfer.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Huifang Wang, Jun Zhang, Qichong Zhang, Hao Wu, Xiaohong Xu
Summary: In this study, an ultrathin insulating Al2O3 layer was introduced to modify the interface between n-type ZnO nanorod arrays (NRA) and p-type Cu2O, leading to enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. The Al2O3 layer is effective in suppressing the influence of interface defect states and blocking carrier recombination, thereby improving the overall performance of the p-n heterojunction.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yongming Zhong, Siyuan Yang, Yueping Fang, Kaifeng Wang, Jianteng Sun, Wengang Wu
Summary: This study demonstrates the construction of a film-like photocatalyst ZnO-CdS(Ar)@Ni, which significantly enhances the hydrogen generation rate and can be used for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting. The enhanced performance is attributed to the unique ZnO-CdS heterojunction structure, the combination of 1D nanorod array with 3D Ni foam substrate, and the efficient electron collection and transfer within the Ni foam.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ziyue He, Wenkai Zhang, Xin Xie, Jiahe Guo, Xinyu Zhang, Jingyang Wang
Summary: A new process for preparing nanorod arrays was developed in this study, and TiO2/ZnO nanorod heterojunction materials with enhanced photovoltaic properties were successfully prepared. By optimizing the structure and components, the photovoltaic performance and photocatalytic ability of the nanorod arrays were significantly improved. This work is of great significance for the research and application of nanorod arrays.
JOURNAL OF NANOPARTICLE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mohit Khosya, Dheeraj Kumar, Mohd Faraz, Neeraj Khare
Summary: In this study, zinc indium sulfide coupled polyaniline (ZnIn2S4/PANI) nanocomposites were synthesized using a chemisorption method. The nanocomposites exhibited significant enhancement in photo-catalytic and photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting activity under visible light illumination. The improvement in photodegradation and PEC water splitting activity is attributed to extended visible light absorption, synergistic effect of PANI, and the formation of a type-II heterojunction, which facilitates charge separation and faster transfer efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohit Khosya, Dheeraj Kumar, Mohd Faraz, Neeraj Khare
Summary: Hexagonal zinc indium sulfide coupled g-C3N4 (H-ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4) nanocomposites were synthesized via chemisorption method, and their photoelectrochemical water splitting activity was investigated. The H-ZnIn2S4/g-C3N4 nanocomposites exhibited a 1.9 times higher photoelectrochemical performance than H-ZnIn2S4. The improved performance can be attributed to the formation of a type-II heterojunction, which enhances the separation and transfer of photogenerated charge carriers.
ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Zhuangzhuang Yin, Shihan Qi, Shangkun Deng, Jun Guo, Wei Gan, Peng Chen, Chunsheng Ding, Ziliang Li, Jianrou Li, Yuqing Lu, Ziwei Zhao, Qi Ling, Miao Zhang, Zhaoqi Sun
Summary: In this work, CoS/CuS/TiO2 was synthesized using a simple one-pot hydrothermal preparation method and was found to exhibit excellent photoelectrochemical performance and photocatalytic activity for the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Qianyun Lin, Xue Huang, Liling Lu, Dianping Tang
Summary: This research reports a new strategy for amplifying photocurrent signal in photoelectrochemical biosensing systems, enabling sensitive monitoring of prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The CdS@ZnIn2S4-based PEC immunosensor exhibited satisfactory photocurrent responses with a good linear range and low limit of detection. The research not only introduces an effective strategy for detecting PSA, but also provides a new insight into signal amplification by regulating the electrolyte.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Sourabh Pal, Sayan Bayan, Dipak K. Goswami, Samit K. Ray
Summary: The fabrication of boron carbonitride (BxCyNz) nanosheets with doped g-C3N4 and h-BN nanodomains and the demonstration of superior light-emission characteristics with unique negative thermal quenching (NTQ) attributes opens up the possibility for next-generation light-emitting and display systems with outstanding luminescence stability. The ternary nanosheets exhibit p-type conductivity upon the incorporation of C into the h-BN lattice, and show unique NTQ characteristics in photoluminescence emission, making them stupendous for the fabrication of superior-performance light-emitting diodes with lower injection current density at room temperature. The fabricated heterojunction based on BxCyNz nanosheets/ZnO nanorods displays broadband white-light emission with superior intensity at a much lower turn-on voltage of approximately 3 V.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Jiang Li, Rui Wang, Zhaowen Bai, Gang Wang, Xinmiao Zhang, Junsheng Yuan, Jinyuan Zhou, Erqing Xie, Xiaojun Pan
Summary: In this study, photoelectrochemical (PEC) type ultraviolet photodetectors (UVPDs) based on KNbO3/ZnO heterojunctions were fabricated and found to possess excellent performance and appropriate band structures for UV radiation monitoring. Compared to PEC UVPDs based on pure ZnO and KNbO3, the developed PEC UVPDs based on KNbO3/ZnO showed higher performances with a responsivity of 0.1 A/W, rise and decay times of 8 ms and 11 ms, and a linear wavelength response from 320 to 400 nm. These results highlight the high sensitivity, responsivity, and rapid response of the PEC UVPDs based on KNbO3/ZnO heterojunctions, suggesting their great potential for UV detection.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cheolho Kim, Heewon Min, Junmin Kim, Jiwon Sul, Jiwoo Yang, Jun Hyuk Moon
Summary: Electrochemical conversion shows potential for selective partial oxidation of methane. We propose a NiO/ZnO shell/core nanorod catalyst to enhance electrochemical conversion. The built-in potential at the NiO/ZnO interface and the 1D morphology of the nanorods facilitate fast charge transfer, thereby improving electrochemical methane conversion. By using a 600-nm long NiO/ZnO nanorod catalyst, a high ethanol production rate of 1084.2 mu mol/gNiO/hr with a selectivity of 81% was achieved. Mechanistic analyses with isotopic labeling reactions suggest ethanol production pathways involving the generation of active oxygen, methane activation, and coupling of deprotonated methanol and methane. Enhancement of methane solubility and in situ generation of CO32- from a CH4/CO2 mixture were also explored.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
You Wu, Yi Yang, Miaoli Gu, Chuanbiao Bie, Haiyan Tan, Bei Cheng, Jingsan Xu
Summary: In this study, low-dimensional ZnO/ZnIn2S4 S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts were fabricated for efficient H2O2 production. The construction of S-scheme heterojunction facilitates charge separation and transfer, leading to enhanced performance. This study provides a new approach for the synthesis of H2O2 using solar photocatalysis.
CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mingyue Wang, Andreas Kafizas, Sanjayan Sathasivam, Matthew O. Blunt, Benjamin Moss, Soranyel Gonzalez-Carrero, Claire J. Carmalt
Summary: ZnO/BiOI heterojunction photoanode thin films were investigated for their water oxidation functionality, and it was found that a ZnO layer with a thickness of 120 nm (deposited at 350 degrees C) and a BiOI layer with a thickness of 390 nm (deposited at 300 degrees C) achieved the best photoelectrochemical performance. The heterojunction showed a significant increase in photoelectrochemical activity, with a photo-current of 0.27 mA·cm-2 observed at 1.1 VRHE, which is about 2.2 times higher than that of single-layer ZnO and much higher than that of BiOI. Analysis revealed effective charge transfer and spatial separation of charge carriers at the heterojunction, leading to improved lifetime and ability to drive photoelectrochemical water oxidation.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Hua-Liang Yu, Li-Qin Liu, Ying-Wu Zhou, Xiao-Ling Xue, Xiao-Hong Yuan, Yao-Guo Shen, Zhi-Qun Liu, Hua-Min Chen, Chun-Lei Huang
Summary: Fabric-based nano semiconductor photocatalysts have attracted much attention recently. In this study, Ag2O/ZnO nanorod (NR)/Al-ZnO p-type/high resistivity/n-type (P-HR-N) heterojunction arrays were used to modify polyester fibers. The Al-ZnO seed layer was sputtered on the fibers and Al doping was employed to change the work function (WF) of the ZnO film. The resulting P-HR-N heterojunction sample showed enhanced photocatalytic performance due to the high and widened built-in electric field (BEF) in the multilayer film.
CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lan Wu, Tianxiang Han, Mingrui Zhang, Lili Gao, Zhiqiang Yang, Nana Ding, Jun Jin
Summary: In this study, a novel strategy for CoFe2O4/ZnO and NiFe2O4/ZnO photoanodes was demonstrated using a simple and inexpensive approach. The resulting nanocomposite photoanodes showed improved photocurrent density and a negatively shifted onset potential, addressing some limitations of bare ZnO photoanodes.
