ZnO nanodisks decorated with Au nanorods for enhanced photocurrent generation and photocatalytic activity

Abstract

A facile approach for the preparation of Au nanorod/ZnO nanodisks (AuNR/ZnONDKs) through in situ nucleation and growth of ZnO in AuNR colloidal solution was developed. This is the first report of AuNRs modified on the ZnO surface. Furthermore, the aspect ratios of AuNRs in nanohybrids of AuNR/ZnONDKs were also tuned to achieve tunable and broad LSPR bands for an optimized photocatalytic performance. All of the resultant AuNR/ZnONDK nanohybrids with exposed AuNRs exhibit much higher photocatalytic activity and photocurrent generation compared to commercial ZnO (C-ZnO). In particular, AuNR-707/ZnONDKs express a swift and steady photocurrent of 0.33 mA cm⁻², which is 16.5 times higher than the photocurrent generated by C-ZnO. The facile approach presented here opens up a new avenue for the rational design and preparation of high-performance photocatalysts for the future applications in both environmental purification and photoelectric conversion.