One-step growth of well aligned K-doped ZnO nanotapers using a facile electrochemical route: Photocatalyst application

Large-scale oriented K-doped ZnO nanotapers were successfully grown on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrate using a facile electrochemical route. FESEM, TEM and HRTEM results indicate well-aligned taper-like single-crystalline ZnO hexagonal structure were achieved evidenced by a strong preferential growth along [0001] c-axis direction. Room temperature photoluminescence and Raman spectra results suggest the K doping introduced defect local electronic configuration. The K-doped ZnO nanotaper arrays used as photocatalysts present good photocatalytic performance to the degradation of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis (4-chlorophenyl) ethane (DDT) under simulated sunlight attribute to the K doping. The results reveal that taper-like K-doped ZnO nanostructures have significant and high photocatalytic actively and suitable alternative to other photocatalytic materials for environmental and water detoxification.