1 research outputs found
Facile Synthesis of FeOOH Quantum Dots Modified ZnO Nanorods Films via a Metal-Solating Process
In
this study, we referenced the formation principle of rust in
nature and the FeOOH quantum dots (QDs) were prepared using a metal-solating
process. The FeOOH QDs exhibited an average diameter of 3.5 nm with
well crystallinity. Furthermore, the as-prepared FeOOH QDs were deposited
on ZnO nanorods film as a co-catalyst for water oxidation. The crystal
phase, microstructures, and optical properties of the synthesized
films were established through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy,
and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis). Applied
as a photoanode for solar water splitting, the FeOOH QDs/ZnO nanorods
film exhibited a photocurrent density of 0.44 mA/cm<sup>2</sup> at
1.23 V vs RHE, which is 2.1 times higher than that of pure ZnO film.
After the loading of FeOOH QDs, the ZnO photoanode showed higher surface
charge injection efficiency (by a factor of ∼2) and better
long-term stability. The analysis of electrochemical measurements
displayed that, as a co-catalyst of the oxygen evolution reaction,
FeOOH QDs resulted in a noticeable cathodic shift of photocurrent
onset potential for water oxidation and a remarkable improvement of
surface charge injection efficiency. In addition, the metal-solating
method can be applied to preparing the other metal oxides QDs, such
as WO<sub>3</sub> and ZnO QDs