Synthesis of Na-doped ZnO hollow spheres with improved photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production. Issue 27 (21st June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Zhiwei; Li, Yaguang; Gao, Linjie; Wang, Shufang; Fu, Guangsheng
• Is Part Of: Dalton transactions. Volume 45:Issue 27(2016)
• Page Start: 11145
• Page End: 11149
• Publication Date: 2016-06-21
• Subjects: Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Physical and theoretical -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 546.05
• DOI: 10.1039/c6dt02155g
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1477-9226

Abstract

Abstract : The fabrication of p-type doped ZnO nanostructures is key in opening up substantial opportunities for the application of ZnO nanostructures. Abstract : The fabrication of p-type doped ZnO nanostructures is key in opening up substantial opportunities for the application of ZnO nanostructures. Owing to their stable p-type property, Na ions are the best candidates for ZnO p-type doping. However, Na-doped ZnO nanostructures had never been prepared until now. For the first time, we successfully synthesized Na-doped ZnO ultrathin hollow spheres using an ion adsorption and templating method. The obtained hollow spheres have ultrathin shells, uniform Na elemental distribution and a controllable concentration of doped Na. The energy position of the Fermi level decreased with continuously increasing Na doping concentration, revealing the p-type conductivity of Na-doped ZnO. We demonstrate that the photocatalytic hydrogen generation efficiency (with methanol) using ZnO ultrathin hollow spheres can be enhanced by more than 50 times after Na-doping and that the quantum efficiency can be as high as 13.5%.