Marangoni ring-templated vertically aligned ZnO nanotube arrays with enhanced photocatalytic hydrogen production

Wei Cheat Lee, Yuanxing Fang, Rantej Kler, Giacomo E. Canciani, Thomas C. Draper, Zainab T.Y. Al-Abdullah, Sulaiman M. Alfadul, Christopher C. Perry, Heyong He, Qiao Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Here we report on a novel approach for the synthesis of vertically aligned hexagonal ZnO nanotube arrays. Ring-like structures were formed on substrate using the polymer-based seeding solution through the Marangoni mechanism, guiding the growth of ZnO nanotubes with aqueous chemical bath deposition. Photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation by water splitting on a ZnO nanotube anode is about three times as efficient as that on a similar ZnO nanorod anode.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)12-16
Number of pages5
JournalMaterials Chemistry and Physics
Volume149
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 15 2015

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Keywords

  • Chemical bath deposition
  • Hydrogen generation
  • Marangoni mechanism
  • Nanotube arrays

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