TY - JOUR
T1 - ZnO Nanowire Networks as Photoanode Model Systems for Photoelectrochemical Applications
AU - Movsesyan, Liana
AU - Maijenburg, Albert Wouter
AU - Goethals, Noel
AU - Sigle, Wilfried
AU - Spende, Anne
AU - Yang, Florent
AU - Kaiser, Bernhard
AU - Jaegermann, Wolfram
AU - Park, Sun-Young
AU - Mul, Guido
AU - Trautmann, Christina
AU - Toimil-Molares, Maria Eugenia
PY - 2018/9/6
Y1 - 2018/9/6
N2 - In this work, the fabrication of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire networks is presented. By combining ion-track technology, electrochemical deposition, and atomic layer deposition, hierarchical and self-supporting three-dimensional (3D) networks of pure ZnO- and TiO2-coated ZnO nanowires were synthesized. Analysis by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed a highly crystalline structure of the electrodeposited ZnO wires and the anatase phase of the TiO2 coating. In photoelectrochemical measurements, the ZnO and ZnO/TiO2 nanowire networks, used as anodes, generated higher photocurrents compared to those produced by their film counterparts. The ZnO/TiO2 nanowire network exhibited the highest photocurrents. However, the protection by the TiO2 coatings against chemical corrosion still needs improvement. The one-dimensionality of the nanowires and the large electrolyte-accessible area make these 3D networks promising photoelectrodes, due to the improved transport properties of photogenerated charge carriers and faster redox reactions at the surface. Moreover, they can find further applications in e.g., sensing, catalytical, and piezoelectric devices.
AB - In this work, the fabrication of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire networks is presented. By combining ion-track technology, electrochemical deposition, and atomic layer deposition, hierarchical and self-supporting three-dimensional (3D) networks of pure ZnO- and TiO2-coated ZnO nanowires were synthesized. Analysis by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed a highly crystalline structure of the electrodeposited ZnO wires and the anatase phase of the TiO2 coating. In photoelectrochemical measurements, the ZnO and ZnO/TiO2 nanowire networks, used as anodes, generated higher photocurrents compared to those produced by their film counterparts. The ZnO/TiO2 nanowire network exhibited the highest photocurrents. However, the protection by the TiO2 coatings against chemical corrosion still needs improvement. The one-dimensionality of the nanowires and the large electrolyte-accessible area make these 3D networks promising photoelectrodes, due to the improved transport properties of photogenerated charge carriers and faster redox reactions at the surface. Moreover, they can find further applications in e.g., sensing, catalytical, and piezoelectric devices.
KW - Etched ion-track membrane
KW - water splitting
KW - Photoelectrochemical applications
KW - TiO2
KW - ZnO
KW - Core-shell nanowires
KW - Nanowire network
KW - Electrodeposition
KW - Water splitting
KW - TiO
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85053231942&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/nano8090693
DO - 10.3390/nano8090693
M3 - Article
SN - 2079-4991
VL - 8
JO - Nanomaterials
JF - Nanomaterials
IS - 9
M1 - 693
ER -