%0 Journal Article %A Zhan, Faqi %A Yang, Yahui %A Liu, Wenhua %A Wang, Keke %A Li, Wenzhang %A Li, Jie %D 2018 %T Facile Synthesis of FeOOH Quantum Dots Modified ZnO Nanorods Films via a Metal-Solating Process %U https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Facile_Synthesis_of_FeOOH_Quantum_Dots_Modified_ZnO_Nanorods_Films_via_a_Metal-Solating_Process/6267197 %R 10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b00776.s001 %2 https://acs.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/11452166 %K WO %K water oxidation %K surface charge injection efficiency %K FeOOH quantum dots %K XRD %K oxygen evolution reaction %K ZnO nanorods film %K TEM %K metal oxides QDs %K SEM %K FeOOH QDs %K as-prepared FeOOH QDs %K FeOOH Quantum Dots Modified ZnO Nanorods Films %K 1.23 V vs RHE %X In this study, we referenced the formation principle of rust in nature and the FeOOH quantum dots (QDs) were prepared using a metal-solating process. The FeOOH QDs exhibited an average diameter of 3.5 nm with well crystallinity. Furthermore, the as-prepared FeOOH QDs were deposited on ZnO nanorods film as a co-catalyst for water oxidation. The crystal phase, microstructures, and optical properties of the synthesized films were established through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis). Applied as a photoanode for solar water splitting, the FeOOH QDs/ZnO nanorods film exhibited a photocurrent density of 0.44 mA/cm2 at 1.23 V vs RHE, which is 2.1 times higher than that of pure ZnO film. After the loading of FeOOH QDs, the ZnO photoanode showed higher surface charge injection efficiency (by a factor of ∼2) and better long-term stability. The analysis of electrochemical measurements displayed that, as a co-catalyst of the oxygen evolution reaction, FeOOH QDs resulted in a noticeable cathodic shift of photocurrent onset potential for water oxidation and a remarkable improvement of surface charge injection efficiency. In addition, the metal-solating method can be applied to preparing the other metal oxides QDs, such as WO3 and ZnO QDs. %I ACS Publications