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

Mesoporous cobalt-doped ZnS and ZnO nanoplates were fabricated by calcination of a Zn _0.95Co _0.05S(en) _0.5 complex (en = ethylenediamine), which was hydrothermally synthesized using ethylenediamine as a single solvent and chelating agent. When the as-prepared Zn _0.95Co _0.05S(en) _0.5 complex was calcined, mesoporous nanoplates of wurtzite Zn _0.95Co _0.05S were formed, which then transformed to Zn _0.95Co _0.05O 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 Na ₂S/Na ₂SO ₃ solution as probe reactions. The Zn _0.95Co _0.05S calcined at 500 °C exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation and also showed the photocatalytic performance under visible light irradiation.