Crystal Facets Influence on Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO Nanomaterials

Abstract

Using a facile hydrothermal method, ZnO nanomaterials with various morphological structures (nanowires, nanodiscs, and nanostars) were produced. An investigation was conducted into the relationships between the exposed polar facets and the photocatalytic activities. Based on XPS, Pl, and structural analysis, it was discovered that the exposed facets’ chemsorption ability of the different ZnO nanomaterials with different morphologies plays a vital role in their photocatalytic properties. Zinc-terminated surfaces had the highest chemsorption ability and consequently the ZnO nanodiscs with the highest fraction of exposed Zinc-terminated facets were the ideal photocatalysts from the tested morphologies. This work emphasises the important influence of rational control over the nanomaterial morphology on its physical and chemical properties and therefore on its performance in various practical applications.