Chemical synthesis of ZnO nanorods: Investigations of electrochemical performance and photo-electrochemical water splitting applications

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2017-07, Vol.711, p.573-580
• Main Authors: Deshmukh, P.R., Sohn, Youngku, Shin, Weon Gyu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Capacitance; Chemical route; Chemical synthesis; Crystal structure; Diffraction; Electrochemical analysis; Nanorods; Supercapacitor; Temperature; Water splitting; Wurtzite; Zinc oxide; Zinc oxides; ZnO
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2017.04.030

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanorods were prepared by facile and inexpensive chemical route at low temperature. X-ray diffraction study confirms the formation of hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure with high orientation along the c-axis. FE-SEM images show a vertical alignment of ZnO nanorods to the substrate surface, whose average diameter and length is 1.33 and 15 μm, respectively. Electrochemical performance and photo-electrochemical water splitting of ZnO nanorods are investigated in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte using the different electrochemical techniques. Electrochemical study of ZnO nanorods exhibits the maximum areal capacitance of 29.36 mFcm−2 in the negative potential window, which is higher than the areal capacitance of 10.84 mFcm−2 in the positive potential window at the scan rate of 5 mVs−1. ZnO nanorods show the excellent stability of 97% over the 3000 cycles in both potential windows. Photo-electrochemical water splitting demonstrates the fast photo-response with 0.098% photo-conversion efficiency. [Display omitted] •Low temperature chemical synthesis of ZnO nanorods.•Study of ZnO nanorods in electrochemical and PEC water splitting applications.•ZnO nanorods exhibits the maximum areal capacitance of 29.36 mFcm−2.•ZnO nanorods demonstrated the superb 97% stability over 3000 cycles.•PEC water splitting showed the fast photoresponse and photo conversion efficiency.