Synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties of ZnO nanorod hybrids loaded with high-density gold nanoparticles

Derived gold nanoparticles supported on ZnO nanorods were generated via the self-assembly of gold salt precursors and subsequent local reduction of AuCl4- ions, which are ion-paired with protonated 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and chemically attached to the hydroxyl-rich surfaces of the ZnO nanorods. X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the as-prepared gold nanoparticles loaded onto the ZnO nanorod hybrids. Attachment of the gold nanoparticles onto the ZnO nanorods alters the interfacial charge transfer process and facilitates the electron-hole separation at the interface between the gold and the ZnO, resulting in very good electrochemical properties and characteristic optical properties in the UV-visible spectrum and photoluminescence spectrum. This study provides a new opportunity for the tunable attachment of gold nanoparticles onto the functionalized ZnO nanorods and enriches the preparation methods of new nanohybrids with unique structures and novel properties.