A type-II semiconductor (ZnO/CuS heterostructure) for visible light photocatalysis

Abstract

Type-II semiconductors with p–n heterojunctions have been fabricated by decorating CuS nanostructures on the surface of ZnO nanotubes with the help of a wet-chemical method at low temperature. We are reporting the enhanced visible light photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO/CuS heterostructures. CuO nanostructures were synthesized on the surface of ZnO nanotubes and then the CuO nanostructures were converted to CuS at 80 °C to generate the ZnO/CuS heterostructures. These ZnO/CuS heterostructures efficiently decompose methylene blue upon irradiation of visible light at room temperature. A study of the mechanism suggests that the enhanced photocatalytic activity is due to the formation of ZnO/CuS junctions, which leads to the efficient separation of photoinduced carriers.