Synthesis and Characterization of Broccoli-like Ag/Cu<sub>2</sub>O Nanostructures on ZnO Nanowires Using the Plasma–Liquid Interaction Method

Phung Thi Thu; Ta Ngoc Bach; Le Thi Hong Phong; Do Hoang Tung; Vu Hong Ky; Do Khanh Tung; Vu Dinh Lam; Do Hung Manh; Nguyen Huy Dan; Trinh Xuan Anh; Ngo Thi Hong Le

doi:10.3390/inorganics12030080

Inorganics (Mar 2024)

Synthesis and Characterization of Broccoli-like Ag/Cu<sub>2</sub>O Nanostructures on ZnO Nanowires Using the Plasma–Liquid Interaction Method

Phung Thi Thu,
Ta Ngoc Bach,
Le Thi Hong Phong,
Do Hoang Tung,
Vu Hong Ky,
Do Khanh Tung,
Vu Dinh Lam,
Do Hung Manh,
Nguyen Huy Dan,
Trinh Xuan Anh,
Ngo Thi Hong Le

Affiliations

Phung Thi Thu: University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Ta Ngoc Bach: Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Le Thi Hong Phong: Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Do Hoang Tung: Institute of Physics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Vu Hong Ky: Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Do Khanh Tung: Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Vu Dinh Lam: Graduate University of Science and Technology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Do Hung Manh: Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Nguyen Huy Dan: Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Trinh Xuan Anh: Department of Chemistry, School of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Hanoi University of Science and Technology, 1 Dai Co Viet, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Ngo Thi Hong Le: Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/inorganics12030080
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 3
p. 80

Abstract

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We have designed an excellent visible-light-driven and high-performance photocatalyst with a Ag-Cu2O-ZnO nanowire heterostructure in our work by combining the hydrothermal approach with plasma–liquid technology. The structural and morphological characteristics and optical properties of the samples were evaluated using X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and spectrophotometry, respectively. The results show that the Ag nanoparticles are mainly positioned on the Cu2O nanoclusters compared with the ZnO nanowire surface, forming broccoli-like Ag-Cu2O nanoclusters during the Ar gas plasma treatment process in an aqueous solution. The diameter of the Ag/Cu2O nanoclusters ranges from 150 to 180 nm. The Ag-Cu2O-ZnO nanowires exhibited improved photocatalytic performance, decomposing approximately 98% methyl orange dye in 30 min. This is a consequence of the synergistic interactions between the p-n heterojunction formed at the Cu2O-ZnO interfaces and the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect of the Ag nanoparticles, which broaden the visible light absorption range and effectively separate the photogenerated charge carriers.

Published in Inorganics

ISSN: 2304-6740 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Inorganic chemistry
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/Inorganics

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