Cu2O/ZnO hetero-nanobrush: hierarchical assembly, field emission and photocatalytic properties

Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods are grown hierarchically on cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) nanoneedles to form a Cu₂O/ZnO hetero-nanobrush assembly. This increases the overall aspect ratio, which helps to enhance the field emission properties of the system. Also, the charge separation and transport are facilitated because of the multiple p–n junctions formed at p-Cu₂O/n-ZnO interfaces and quasi-1-D structures of both the materials, respectively. This helps to significantly enhance the photocatalytic properties. As compared to only Cu₂O nanoneedles, the Cu₂O/ZnO hetero-nanobrush shows excellent improvement in both field emission and photocatalytic applications.