Sonochemical synthesis and charge transfer property of core/shell ZnO/CdS nanohybrids

Core/shell ZnO/CdS nanohybrids were fabricated via a simple sonochemical route using monodispersed ZnO nanorods as a starting reactant. The powder X-ray diffraction analysis of the ZnO/CdS hybrids showed additional diffraction peaks corresponding to the hexagonally structured CdS, apart from the signals from the wurtzite ZnO nanorods. The transmission electron microscopy image of the nanohybrids revealed that the ZnO nanorods were coated with hollow CdS nanospheres with typical diameters of approximately 20-30 nm. Compared with the uncoated ZnO nanorods, the charge transfer property of the ZnO/CdS nanohybrids was enhanced due to the sulfur doping and the additional electron injection from CdS shell into ZnO core.