ZnO Defect Modulation for Efficient Photocatalysis

TL;DR

This study explores how low-energy ion implantation and annealing enhance near-surface defect concentrations in ZnO, significantly boosting its photocatalytic efficiency for applications like bilirubin degradation.

Contribution

It demonstrates a method to increase ZnO surface defects using ion implantation and annealing, leading to improved photocatalytic performance.

Findings

Near-surface defect concentration increased by two orders of magnitude.

Enhanced defect levels improve ZnO's photocatalytic activity.

Recommendations provided for optimizing ZnO photocatalytic processes.

Abstract

We have investigated the combined effect of low-energy self-implantation and thermal annealing on the near-surface defect concentration of ZnO single-crystals. Using ionoluminescence (IL), we demonstrate that a combination of low-energy low-fluence Zn and O ion implantation followed by annealing in Ar increases the near-surface point defect concentration in ZnO by two orders of magnitude. Point defects are known to increase the surface reactivity of ZnO, thereby improving the efficiency of ZnO photocatalytic processes such as bilirubin degredation. We hereby provide recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of ZnO-related photocatalytic processes.