Electrospinning Preparation of GaN:ZnO Solid Solution Nanorods with Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity toward H₂ Production

Abstract

The development of a facile method for the synthesis of GaN:ZnO solid solution, an attractive material with a wurtzite-type structure, is vital to enhance its photocatalytic activity toward H2 evolution. Herein, GaN:ZnO solid solution nanorods with diameters of around 180 nm were fabricated by combining the electro-spun method with a sequentially calcinating process. Photocatalytic water-splitting activities of the as-obtained samples loaded with Rh2−yCryO3 co-catalyst were estimated by H2 evolution under visible-light irradiation. The as-prepared GaN:ZnO nanorods at a nitridation temperature of 850 °C showed the optimal performance. Careful characterization of the GaN:ZnO solid solution nanorods indicated that the nitridation temperature is an important parameter affecting the photocatalytic performance, which is related to the specific surface area and the absorbable visible-light wavelength range. Finally, the mechanism of the GaN:ZnO solid solution nanorods was also investigated. The proposed synthesis strategy paves a new way to realize excellent activity and recyclability of GaN:ZnO solid solution nanorod photocatalysts for hydrogen generation.

Keywords

• GaN:ZnO solid solution nanorods
• electrospinning technology
• hydrogen evolution
• visible-light photocatalysis