title: Zinc Oxide nanorod/Au composite arrays and their enhanced photocatalytic properties.
abstract: In this paper, a high-performance photocatalyst of ZnO nanorod/Au composite arrays (ZAs) was synthesized via a facile low-temperature wet chemical method. The samples were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) absorption. The unique nanostructured composite showed great adsorptivity of dyes, extended light absorption range, and efficient charge separation properties simultaneously. Hence, a significant enhancement in the photocatalytic properties in comparison with pure ZnO as demonstrated in photodegradation of methyl orange due to the incorporation of Au nanoparticles in ZnO nanorods.
authors.affiliation: Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
authors.forename: Xueqin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China. Electronic address: zhenli@cug.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
authors.forename: Caixin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
authors.forename: Jianbo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Engineering Research Center of Nano-Geomaterials of Ministry of Education, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China; Faculty of Material Science and Chemistry, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
keywords: Chemical adsorptivity; Efficient charge separation; Extended light absorption; Photocatalysis; ZnO/Au