ZnO nanorods/sulfophenylporphyrin nanocomposites facilely embedded with special copper for improved photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

摘要

Novel and efficient copper-implanted ZnO nanorod/5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfophenyl)porphyrin composite photocatalysts (ZnO NR-Cu-TSPP) were facilely fabricated. The assembly mechanism was investigated and showed that the TSPP was anchored onto the ZnO NR-Cu through dual interaction, hydrogen bond and co-ordination interaction. Importantly, the ZnO NR-Cu-TSPP nanocomposite exhibited high photocatalytic activity on account of extended light absorption and greatly enhanced charge separation at the heterointerface. The photocatalytic mechanism revealed that, with the small sized Cu as interfacial linker, not only the interaction between ZnO NR and TSPP was strengthened, but also more active sites for photocatalytic H-2 evolution were produced. Furthermore, by the introduction of a certain amount of TSPP, the photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite can be significantly enhanced, which is higher than those controlled porphyrins with other substituents. Moreover, the composite showed a superior stability according to the cycling tests. This work provides a new idea for fabricating high efficient nano photocatalysts for hydrogen production.