CdTe quantum dots encapsulated ZnO nanorods for highly efficient photoelectrochemical degradation of phenols

Vertically aligned CdTe-ZnO composite nanorods are constructed on the indium tin oxide substrates by layer-by-layer deposition of CdTe quantum dots on ZnO nanorod arrays. The CdTe shell forms an intact interface with the wurtzite ZnO nanorod, and its thickness can be accurately tuned by changing the deposition cycles. Photoluminescent measurements further disclose the band alignment between the CdTe shell and the ZnO core, which makes CdTe-ZnO composite nanorods exhibiting good photoelectron-chemical properties and being a prospective material for removal of phenol from wastewater under visible light irradiation. Impressively, about 75% degradation of 100 mg/L phenol solution and up to 53.2% removal of the total organic carbon are achieved within 150 min using the optimized CdTe-ZnO composite nanorods as photoelectrocatalysts under visible light.