Synthesis of iron and copper cluster-grafted zinc oxide nanorod with enhanced visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity

Design of visible-light-responsive photocatalyst employing simple and cost-effective method is of great importance from commercial point of view. Herein, we report the synthesis of visible-light-sensitive ubiquitous nanoclusters of Fe³⁺/Cu²⁺-grafted ZnO nanorod using impregnation technique, which showed excellent photocatalytic activity towards the decomposition of Rhodamine B (RhB), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and paracetamol in aqueous suspension under atmospheric oxygen. Fe-grafted ZnO nanorod exhibited pronounced effect for the degradation of the above-mentioned pollutants compared to pure ZnO and Cu-grafted ZnO nanorod. The better activity could be due to the more positive redox potential of surface grafted Fe³⁺ species resulting in the generation of more hydroxyl radicals thereby, leading to higher photodegradation rate.