ZnO-based visible-light photocatalyst Band-gap engineering and multi-electron reduction by co-catalyst

Efficient ZnO based visible-light photocatalysts Cu(II) modified CdxZn1-xO were developed by adopting a hybrid approach consisting of band-engineering by formation of a solid solution and sui face modification of co-catalysts The CdxZn1-xO solid solution exhibited the visible-light activity for decomposing gaseous acetaldehyde while bare ZnO showed negligible activity under visible-light Further the visible-light activity of CdxZn1-xO photocatalysts was greatly improved by the surface modification of Cu2+ ions Photogenerated electrons in CdxZn1-xO are injected into the modified Cu2+ ions under visible-light irradiation and electrons in Cu2+/Cu redox couples cause the efficient reduction of absorbed oxygen molecules The strategy in the present study is a promising approach for applying ZnO-based photocatalysts for indoor applications (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved