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Enhanced Photoelectrocatalytic Activity of BiOI Nanoplate–Zinc Oxide Nanorod p–n Heterojunction
Author(s) -
Kuang PanYong,
Ran JingRun,
Liu ZhaoQing,
Wang HongJuan,
Li Nan,
Su YuZhi,
Jin YongGang,
Qiao ShiZhang
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201501183
Subject(s) - nanorod , heterojunction , materials science , photocatalysis , visible spectrum , nanocomposite , zinc , degradation (telecommunications) , nanotechnology , electron transfer , band gap , catalysis , chemical engineering , photochemistry , optoelectronics , chemistry , computer science , telecommunications , biochemistry , engineering , metallurgy
The development of highly efficient and robust photocatalysts has attracted great attention for solving the global energy crisis and environmental problems. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a p–n heterostructured photocatalyst, consisting of ZnO nanorod arrays (NRAs) decorated with BiOI nanoplates (NPs), by a facile solvothermal method. The product thus obtained shows high photoelectrochemical water splitting performance and enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity for pollutant degradation under visible light irradiation. The p‐type BiOI NPs, with a narrow band gap, not only act as a sensitizer to absorb visible light and promote electron transfer to the n‐type ZnO NRAs, but also increase the contact area with organic pollutants. Meanwhile, ZnO NRAs provide a fast electron‐transfer channel, thus resulting in efficient separation of photoinduced electron–hole pairs. Such a p–n heterojunction nanocomposite could serve as a novel and promising catalyst in energy and environmental applications.