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

Mesoporous cobalt-doped ZnS and ZnO nanoplates were fabricated by calcination of a Zn0.95Co0.05S(en)0.5 complex (en = ethylenediamine), which was hydrothermally synthesized using ethylenediamine as a single solvent and chelating agent. When the as-prepared Zn0.95Co0.05S(en)0.5 complex was calcined, mesoporous nanoplates of wurtzite Zn0.95Co0.05S were formed, which then transformed to Zn0.95Co0.05O 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 Na2S/Na2SO3 solution as probe reactions. The Zn0.95Co0.05S calcined at 500 °C exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation and also showed the photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation.