Polymer roles in enhancing PEC charge transport in ZnO semiconductor photocatalyst

ZnO as semiconductor photocatalyst have received a lot more attention lately due to its higher electron mobility as well as charge diffusion coefficient compared to TiO2. Despite of this, the photocatalytic activity of ZnO is reported to be inferior to that of TiO2 due to its rapid charge recombination. In this recently published paper in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, we reported a novel technique where PEC performance of ZnO semiconductor can be enhanced by simultaneously loading Pt deposits and a polymer coating onto a particles. Through gradual deposition of Pt and the polymer on the ZnO surface, intimate contact was formed between each component for enhanced charge carrier transportation.

 

Figure 6

Read more in J. Mater.Chem. A, 2017, 5, 4568-4575 (doi: 10.1039/C6TA10665J)

Schematic illustration pathway for photocatalytic synthesis of Poly/Pt/ZnO

Schematic illustration pathway for photocatalytic synthesis of Poly/Pt/ZnO