Hedgehog Zinc Oxide-Graphene Quantum Dot Heterostructures as Photocatalysts for Visible-Light-Driven Water Splitting.

ABSTRACT: The development of efficient photocatalysts for sustainable hydrogen production via water splitting is vital for advancing renewable energy technologies. In this study, we present the synthesis and characterization of a novel visible-light-active photocatalyst comprising hedgehog-shaped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures coupled with graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Optical properties assessed by UV-visible and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy revealed that the ZnO/GQDs heterostructure possessed a reduced band gap (2.86 eV) compared with pristine ZnO (3.10 eV), resulting in improved light absorption and charge separation. Electrochemical analyses indicated a significantly higher photocurrent response and lower charge transfer resistance for the ZnO/GQDs heterostructure compared with the prist

SUBMITTER: Le TKO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11447729 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature