She X, Zhang Z. ZnFe
2O
4 Nanotapers: Slag Assistant-Growth and Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Efficiency.
NANOSCALE RESEARCH LETTERS 2017;
12:211. [PMID:
28340528 PMCID:
PMC5364123 DOI:
10.1186/s11671-017-1938-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In this study, ZnFe2O4 (ZFO) nanotapers are fabricated on the ZnO nanorods (NRs) by recycling rare-earth oxide (REO) slag as the iron source, which thereby exhibits dramatically enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) efficiency. Our studies demonstrate that the electron-hole separation and charge migration can be facilitated by the cascade band alignment of ZFO and ZnO and the branched nanotaper structures. Not only the iron source, the slag particles can also act as the passivation layers, leading to improved electron lifetime and significant PEC enhancement. The current study presents a novel REO-slag-modified PEC anode for high-efficiency PEC devices and offers a possibility of recycling industrial waste for renewable energy generation.
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