Complex-directed hybridization of CuO/ZnO nanostructures and their gas sensing and photocatalytic properties. Issue 1 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Chao; Cao, Xudong; Wang, Shoujiang; Zhang, Lu; Xiao, Feng; Su, Xintai; Wang, Jide
• Is Part Of: Ceramics international. Volume 41:Issue 1(2015)Part B
• Page Start: 1749
• Page End: 1756
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: E. Sensors -- CuO/ZnO -- Hybrid nanostructures -- Semiconductors -- Photocatalysis; Ceramics -- Periodicals; Céramique industrielle -- Périodiques; Ceramics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2014.09.120
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-8842

Abstract

Abstract: Novel CuO/ZnO hybrid nanostructures have been prepared by the complex-directed hybridization and subsequent calcination. In the hybridization process, Zn(OH)4 2− ions in the NaOH solution not only served as the ZnO precursor, but also directed the precipitation of CuO. The synthesized CuO/ZnO nanostructures were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transition electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy (UV-DRS). XRD results confirmed the presence of CuO and ZnO phases in the hybrid nanostructures. Morphological analysis showed that flower-like and core–shell CuO/ZnO nanostructures and CuO/ZnO nanoparticles were selectively prepared by adjusting the precipitation temperature. Spectral analysis showed that the hybrids displayed a strong absorption in the visible light range of 400–800 nm. Subsequently, gas sensing measurements revealed that the synthesized CuO/ZnO hybrids exhibited a p-type sensing behavior in response to reducing gases, such as acetone, ethanol, and xylene. In addition, the photo-degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) by the hybrids was evaluated. The proposed strategy opens a new route to metal oxide-based hybrid nanostructures for applications in catalysis, gas sensor, and photocatalysis.