Preparation of flower-like ZnO@ZnS core-shell structure enhances photocatalytic hydrogen production

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.07.027
• Publication Date: 2020-07-24T12:18:29Z
• Authors: Xinying Yang; Haixia Liu; Tianduo Li; Baibiao Huang; Wei Hu; Zaiyong Jiang; Jianbin Chen; Qingfen Niu
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

Abstract In this study, ZnO flowers were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method. On this basis, the ZnS nanoparticles were anchored uniformly on the surface of ZnO by a solution recrystallization strategy to form a ZnO@ZnS core-shell structure. A further increase in thiourea leads to the formation of a ZnS hollow structure, which is due to the Kirkendall effect. Throughout the process, the flower-like structure has not changed. The effects of the ZnS with different loadings on the morphology, crystallization properties, specific surface area, photoelectric response, and photocatalytic activity of the ZnO were investigated. The optimum ZnO@ZnS composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity of 757.07 μmol g−1 of H2 under simulated solar light irradiation. The results show that depositing an appropriate amount of ZnS nanoparticles on ZnO nanorods can effectively improve charge transfer. The charge transfer and the high specific surface area of the catalyst enhance the activity of photocatalytic H2 production.