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Analysis of the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO–ZnO nanorods films deposited by two-step chemical methods in hydrogen generation

  • Original Paper: Sol–gel and hybrid materials for energy, environment and building applications
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Abstract

Thin films of ZnO nanorods were grown by chemical bath deposition over a ZnO seed layer deposited by the sol–gel method. ZnO seed layer films showed a preferred crystal orientation in the (100) plane, so nanorods also grew in this plane. In photocatalytic hydrogen reaction tests of the thin films, ZnO nanorod films yielded 3.5 times as much hydrogen (0.14 µmol µm−2) as ZnO seed layer films (0.04 µmol µm−2). The hydrogen production of each film was related to its surface roughness and specific surface area, with larger specific surface areas improving photocatalytic activity by providing more adsorption sites for redox reactions. Atomic force microscopy showed that the roughnesses of ZnO seed layer films and ZnO nanorod films were 42 and 109 nm, respectively, and that their specific surface areas were 260 and 507 µm2, respectively. Moreover, the higher ratio of surface area to volume in ZnO nanorod films improved their response to light radiation relative to ZnO seed layer films by reducing the charge transfer resistance. The current density was much higher in the photoresponse of ZnO nanorod films (~0.02 mA cm−2) than in that of ZnO seed layer films (~0.01 mA cm−2).

Graphical abstract

Highlights

  • ZnO NRD yielded 3.5 times (0.14 μmol μm−2) H2 as ZnO (0.04 μmol μm−2) film.

  • The H2 production was related to its surface roughness and specific surface area.

  • Larger specific surface areas providing more adsorption sites for redox reactions.

  • Higher ratio of surface area to volume in ZnO NRD improved their response.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank CONACYT for the support to the following projects: Cátedras-CONACYT 363, CB-2015-253349, and FC-2016-1725. Thanks to UANL: PAIFIC: 2018-5/2018-8 and PAYCIT: IT637-18/CE865-19/CE1771-21. L.F.G.R. thanks to CONACYT FC-1725 for the fellowship awarded. We also thank Eduardo Martínez Guerra, Alonso Concha Balderrama, and Oscar Vega from CIMAV-Monterrey for his technical support in the XRD, and AFM measurements.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design of this work. M.R.A.C. and L.F.G.R. contribute with the conceptualization, methodology, investigation, writing-original draft, writing-review, and editing. While L.M.T.M. contribute with the conceptualization, project administration, founding acquisition, resources, writing-review, and editing.

Funding

This work was supporting with the following CONACYT projects: Cátedras-CONACYT 363, CB-2015-253349, and FC-2016-1725. Also, UANL was supported part of the work with the projects: PAIFIC: 2018-5/2018-8 and PAYCIT: IT637-18/CE865-19/CE1771-21. Finally, L.F.G.R. has received the fellowship awarded CONACYT FC-1725.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CONACYT-Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Departamento de Ecomateriales y Energía, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, C.P. 66455, México

    M. R. Alfaro Cruz

  2. Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Ingeniería Civil, Departamento de Ecomateriales y Energía, Ciudad Universitaria, San Nicolás de los Garza, Nuevo León, C.P. 66455, México

    M. R. Alfaro Cruz, L. F. Garay-Rodríguez & Leticia M. Torres-Martínez

  3. Centro de Investigación en Materiales Avanzados, S. C. (CIMAV), Miguel de Cervantes No. 120, Complejo Industrial Chihuahua, San Nicolás de los Garza, Chih., CP, 31136, México

    Leticia M. Torres-Martínez

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Correspondence to Leticia M. Torres-Martínez.

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Alfaro Cruz, M.R., Garay-Rodríguez, L.F. & Torres-Martínez, L.M. Analysis of the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO–ZnO nanorods films deposited by two-step chemical methods in hydrogen generation. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 103, 267–279 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-022-05804-1

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