Surface defects control for ZnO nanorods synthesized by quenching and their anti-recombination in photocatalysis

- ZnO nanorods with controllable surface defects concentration were prepared by quenching treatment.
- The recombination of photoinduced charges was greatly suppressed and controllable.
- The electronic origin of light absorption enhancement was investigated.
- Quenched ZnO showed excellent photocatalytic reactivity.