Anchoring Mechanism of ZnO Nanoparticles on Graphitic Carbon Nanofiber Surfaces through a Modified Co-Precipitation Method to Improve Interfacial Contact and Photocatalytic Performance.
A facile three-step co-precipitation method is developed to synthesize graphitic carbon nanofibers (CNFs) decorated with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). By interchanging intermediate steps of the reaction processes, two kinds of nanohybrids are fabricated with stark morphological and physicochemical differences. The morphologies differ because of the different chemical environments of the NP/nanocluster formation. The hybrid with larger and non-uniform ZnO nanocluster size is formed in liquid phase and resulted in considerable interfacial defects that deteriorate the charge-transfer properties. The hybrid with smaller and uniform ZnO NPs was formed in a dry solid phase and produced near-defect-free interfaces, leading to efficient charge transfer for superior photocatalytic performance. The results broaden the understanding of the anchoring/bonding mechanism in ZnO/CNF hybrid formation and may facilitate further development of more effective exfoliation strategies for the preparation of high-performance composites/hybrids.
School of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, South Korea.
Gowra Raghupathy
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6855-2192
GR
Dillip
School of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, South Korea. arghya@ynu.ac.kr.
Arghya Narayan
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5714-2462
AN
Banerjee
School of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, South Korea.
Veettikunnu Chandran
VC
Anitha
School of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, South Korea. swjoo@yu.ac.kr.
Sang Woo
SW
Joo
Center for Research Facilities, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, South Korea.
Bong Ki
BK
Min
School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, South Korea.
Sandesh Y
SY
Sawant
School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 712-749, South Korea.
Moo Hwan
MH
Cho
defect-free interfaces; interfacial contact strength; nanofiber hybrids; photodegradation; zinc oxide/carbon