Synthesis, electronic property and photocatalytic applications of mesoporous cobalt-doped ZnS and ZnO nanoplates

Abstract Mesoporous cobalt-doped ZnS and ZnO nanoplates were fabricated by calcination of a Zn 0.95 Co 0.05 S(en) 0.5 complex (en = ethylenediamine), which was hydrothermally synthesized using ethylenediamine as a single solvent and chelating agent. When the as-prepared Zn 0.95 Co 0.05 S(en) 0.5 complex was calcined, mesoporous nanoplates of wurtzite Zn 0.95 Co 0.05 S were formed, which then transformed to Zn 0.95 Co 0.05 O platelets upon further oxidation. Photocatalytic performance of the as-prepared materials was investigated for decomposition of the azo dye (acid red 14) and photoelectrochemical current generation in aqueous Na 2 S/Na 2 SO 3 solution as probe reactions. The Zn 0.95 Co 0.05 S calcined at 500 °C exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation and also showed the photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation.