One-dimensional ZnO nanostructured films: Effect of oxide nanoparticles

ZnO nanorods were prepared on fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) using the electrodeposition method. The architecture of the ZnO nanorods arrays was strongly modified by addition of TiO2 nanoparticles during the electrodeposition process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize their morphology and structure and confirmed the successful formation of ZnO nanorods. The ZnO-TiO2 modified electrodes demonstrated an increase of the photocurrent activity under enhanced UV white light irradiation. This was attributed to the increased surface area and therein the photoactive surface area. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.