A synergetic effect of surface plasmon and ammoniation on enhancing photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanorods

Abstract

A synergetic effect of surface plasmon (SP) and ammoniation on the enhancements of both ultraviolet and visible photocatalytic activities of ZnO nanorods is reported. SPs were supported by Ag nanoparticles attached to the surface of ZnO nanorods that were prepared by hydrothermal method. Ammoniation was conducted under 20 atmospheres at 400 °C in an autoclave. Photocatalysis was evaluated in terms of the degree of degradation of methylene blue by ZnO. It is found that ammoniation can dope both nitrogen and hydrogen ions for bandgap width narrowing and dangling bond passivation, respectively, while Ag nanoparticles may facilitate the separation and generation of electrons and holes in ZnO via SPs for redox reaction at the surface. This synergism of the two different approaches to processing ZnO enhances its photocatalytic ability significantly.