Preparation and Photocatalytic/Photoelectrochemical Investigation of 2D ZnO/CdS Nanocomposites

Abstract

Properties of heterotructured semiconductors based on ZnO/CdS nanosheets are investigated for their possible application in photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical reactions. Semiconductor material is the main active coating of photoanodes, which triggers the half-reaction of water oxidation and reduction, which entails the purifying or splitting of water. This article explains nanocomposite assembly by convenient and simple methods. The study of the physicochemical properties of semiconductor layers is carried out using electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and UV-visible spectroscopy. Studies of electrochemical properties are carried out by potential static methods in electrochemical cells.

Keywords

• water splitting
• nanocomposite
• photocatalysts
• nanosheets
• nanolayers
• water oxidation