Photocatalysis Using ZnO Thin Films and Nanoneedles Grown by Metal–Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition

Abstract

Highly efficient photocatalytic ZnO nanoneedle arrays with a large surface/volume ratio were prepared on inexpensive, large-area substrates using metal–organic chemical vapor deposition. The photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoneedle arrays is much enhanced due to their increased surface/volume ratio. It is believed that the “bottom–up” approach may be expanded to create many other one-dimensional oxide semiconductor nanostructures (see Figure).