Title: Copper-doped ZnO/ZnS core/shell nanotube as a novel photocatalyst system for photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light

Authors: Dengwei Jing, Rong Li, Maochang Liu, Liejin Guo

Addresses: State Key Laboratory of MFPE (SKMFPE), School of Energy and Power engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China. ' State Key Laboratory of MFPE (SKMFPE), School of Energy and Power engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China. ' State Key Laboratory of MFPE (SKMFPE), School of Energy and Power engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China. ' State Key Laboratory of MFPE (SKMFPE), School of Energy and Power engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China

Abstract: A novel Cu²⁺ ZnO/ZnS core/shell tubular photocatalyst system was successfully constructed. TEM images showed that the ZnO nanotubes were covered with ZnS nanoparticles. It was found that 1% Cu²⁺-doped ZnO/ZnS showed significantly higher hydrogen production rate than that without Cu doping. Photo-generated electrons in Cu-doped ZnS nanoparticles migrated from ZnS to ZnO nanotubes, led to enhanced charge separation, and therefore increased hydrogen production. Our Cu-doped ZnO/ZnS core/shell structure represents an effective photocatalyst system for efficient hydrogen production, which is apparently worth further in-depth study.

Keywords: nanotubes; photocatalyst; copper doped; hydrogen production; visible light; nanotechnology; nanoparticles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2011.040187

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2011 Vol.8 No.6/7, pp.446 - 457

Published online: 19 May 2011 *

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