|
Title
|
|
|
|
Surface functionalization of grown-on-tip ZnO nanopyramids : from fabrication to light-triggered applications
| |
|
Author
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Abstract
|
|
|
|
| We report on a combined chemical vapor deposition (CVD)/radio frequency (RF) sputtering synthetic strategy for the controlled surface modification of ZnO nanostructures by Ti-containing species. Specifically, the proposed approach consists in the CVD of grown-on-tip ZnO nanopyramids, followed by titanium RF sputtering under mild conditions. The results obtained by a thorough characterization demonstrate the successful ZnO surface functionalization with dispersed Ti-containing species in low amounts. This phenomenon, in turn, yields a remarkable enhancement of photoactivated superhydrophilic behavior, self-cleaning ability, and photocatalytic performances in comparison to bare ZnO. The reasons accounting for such an improvement are unravelled by a multitechnique analysis, elucidating the interplay between material chemico-physical properties and the corresponding functional behavior. Overall, the proposed strategy stands as an amenable tool for the mastering of semiconductor-based functional nanoarchitectures through ad hoc engineering of the system surface. |
| |
|
Language
|
|
|
|
English
| |
|
Source (journal)
|
|
|
|
ACS applied materials and interfaces. - -
| |
|
Publication
|
|
|
|
2019
| |
|
ISSN
|
|
|
|
1944-8244
| |
|
DOI
|
|
|
|
10.1021/ACSAMI.8B22744
| |
|
Volume/pages
|
|
|
|
11
:17
(2019)
, p. 15881-15890
| |
|
ISI
|
|
|
|
000466988800078
| |
|
Pubmed ID
|
|
|
|
30998315
| |
|
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Full text (open access)
|
|
|
|
| |
|