Synthesis of thermostable Au@ZnO core-shell nanorods with efficient visible-light photocatalytic activity

Au@ZnO core-shell nanorods with excellent thermostability and efficient photocatalytic activity were successfully prepared through a facile hydrothermal method. Morphology characterizations proved that the Au@ZnO nanorods exhibit stable core-shell nanostructure and its Au cores still maintained rod-like morphology after being treated at 500 °C. Extinction spectra revealed that thermostable Au@ZnO nanorods have preeminent absorption in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared regions. Photocatalytic test indicated that Au@ZnO nanorods possess efficient photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B under visible-light irradiation. The high crystallinity of ZnO nanoshells and strong plasmon resonance of Au were thought to be the reason for the superior photocatalytic activity.