Preparation and Properties of ZnO/CdS∶Zn Heterostructured Photoanodes

doi:10.16553/j.cnki.issn1000-985x.2025.0168

Abstract

Abstract: ZnO nanosheet arrays with highly exposed high-energy facets were successfully prepared on FTO conductive glass using a hydrothermal method. Zn doped CdS nanoparticles were deposited on the surface of ZnO nanosheets via successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction technique，forming a ZnO/CdS∶Zn heterostructure photoanode. The crystal phase，microstructure，optical properties，and photoelectrochemical properties of the prepared photoanodes were systematically characterized and analyzed using X-ray diffraction，scanning electron microscopy，ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy，and a three-electrode photoelectrochemical testing system. The results indicate that Zn doped CdS nanoparticles are uniformly and densely deposited on the surface of ZnO nanosheet arrays. As the number of successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction cycles increases，the light absorption range of the films gradually extends into the visible region，and the photocurrent is significantly enhanced，reaching up to 6.25 mA·cm^-2. The study demonstrates that the construction of heterostructures combined with elemental doping synergistically promotes a remarkable improvement in the photoelectrochemical property of the films.

Key words: ZnO nanosheet array; photoelectrochemical property; CdS nanoparticle; Zn doping; heterojunction

CLC Number:

O649.4

SU Shi, SUN Mingyue, CHE Zhiyuan, ZHANG Lina, WANG Qiushi, MA Jinwen. Preparation and Properties of ZnO/CdS∶Zn Heterostructured Photoanodes[J]. Journal of Synthetic Crystals, 2026, 55(2): 301-306.

Figures/Tables 5

Fig.1 XRD patterns and EDS of samples before and after sensitization. （a） XRD patterns of ZnO nanosheet arrays and ZnO/CdS heterostructure；（b） EDS of ZnO/CdS heterostructure；（c） XRD patterns of FTO/CdS∶Zn heterostructure；（d） EDS of FTO/CdS∶Zn heterostructure

Fig.2 SEM images of samples before and after CdS sensitization. （a） Top-view SEM image of ZnO nanosheet arrays；（b） cross-sectional SEM image of ZnO nanosheet arrays；（c） cross-sectional SEM image of ZnO/CdS∶Zn heterostructure；（d） cross-sectional SEM image of ZnO/CdS∶Zn heterostructure at higher magnification

Fig.3 UV spectra （a） and J-V curves （b） of ZnO/CdS composite films under different cycling times

Fig.4 J-V curves of ZnO/CdS∶Zn composite films with different Zn concentrations

Fig.5 Schematic diagram of band structure of ZnO/CdS heterojunction

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