Enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity of BiOI nanoplate-zinc oxide nanorod p-n heterojunction

Abstract

The development of highly efficient and robust photocatalysts has attracted great attention for solving the global energy crisis and environmental problems. Herein, we describe the synthesis of a p, n heterostructured photocatalyst, consisting of ZnO nanorod arrays, NRAs, decorated with BiOI nanoplates, NPs, by a facile solvothermal method. The product thus obtained shows high photoelectrochemical water splitting performance and enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity for pollutant degradation under visible light irradiation. The p-type BiOI NPs, with a narrow band gap, not only act as a sensitizer to absorb visible light and promote electron transfer to the n-type ZnO NRAs, but also increase the contact area with organic pollutants. Meanwhile, ZnO NRAs provide a fast electron-transfer channel, thus resulting in efficient separation of photoinduced electron, hole pairs. Such a p, n heterojunction nanocomposite could serve as a novel and promising catalyst in energy and environmental applications.