Synthesis of ZnO nanostructures and their influence on photoelectrochemical response for solar driven water splitting to produce hydrogen

Sudhakar Shet, Heli Wang, Todd Deutsch, Nuggehalli Ravindra, Fa Yan, John Turner, Mowafak Al-Jassim

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have investigated the structural properties, optical absorption, and PEC responses for ZnO nanostructures. All the films were deposited on fluorine doped tin oxide coated glass. We found that the presence of N2 in the growth ambient help to promote the formation of aligned nanorods at high substrate temperature of 500°C, resulting in the significantly enhanced PEC response, compared to ZnO(Ar) films deposited in pure Ar gas ambient. A porous ZnO nanocoral structure synthesized using two step process provides a large surface area, superior light trapping, and an excellent pathway for carrier transport, resulted in a significantly increased PEC response compared to the compact ZnO thin films. Our results suggest that synthesis method can be used to produce desired properties of thin films and nanostructures may help to improve PEC performance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdvances in Nanomaterials and Nanostructures
Pages143-153
Number of pages11
StatePublished - 2011
EventAdvances in Nanomaterials and Nanostructures - Materials Science and Technology 2010 Conference and Exhibition, MS and T'10 - Houston, TX, United States
Duration: Oct 17 2010Oct 21 2010

Publication series

NameCeramic Transactions
Volume229
ISSN (Print)1042-1122

Other

OtherAdvances in Nanomaterials and Nanostructures - Materials Science and Technology 2010 Conference and Exhibition, MS and T'10
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityHouston, TX
Period10/17/1010/21/10

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Materials Chemistry

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