Anchoring Mechanism of ZnO Nanoparticles on Graphitic Carbon Nanofiber Surfaces through a Modified Co‐Precipitation Method to Improve Interfacial Contact and Photocatalytic Performance |
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| Authors: | Dr. Gowra Raghupathy Dillip Dr. Arghya Narayan Banerjee Dr. Veettikunnu Chandran Anitha Dr. Sang Woo Joo Dr. Bong Ki Min Dr. Sandesh Y. Sawant Dr. Moo Hwan Cho |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea;2. Center for Research Facilities, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea;3. School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea |
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| Abstract: | A facile three‐step co‐precipitation method is developed to synthesize graphitic carbon nanofibers (CNFs) decorated with ZnO nanoparticles (NPs). By interchanging intermediate steps of the reaction processes, two kinds of nanohybrids are fabricated with stark morphological and physicochemical differences. The morphologies differ because of the different chemical environments of the NP/nanocluster formation. The hybrid with larger and non‐uniform ZnO nanocluster size is formed in liquid phase and resulted in considerable interfacial defects that deteriorate the charge‐transfer properties. The hybrid with smaller and uniform ZnO NPs was formed in a dry solid phase and produced near‐defect‐free interfaces, leading to efficient charge transfer for superior photocatalytic performance. The results broaden the understanding of the anchoring/bonding mechanism in ZnO/CNF hybrid formation and may facilitate further development of more effective exfoliation strategies for the preparation of high‐performance composites/hybrids. |
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| Keywords: | defect-free interfaces interfacial contact strength nanofiber hybrids photodegradation zinc oxide/carbon |
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