Au decorated zinc oxide nanorods have been synthesized by adopting a multistep chemical
method. Initially the surface of synthesized nanorods have been functionalized by
dipping the sample in potassium iodide solution and then Au nanoparticles were decorated
on these rods by subsequent dipping in HAuCl(4)solution. The size of Au particles
and covering of ZnO nanorods by these particles were studied as a function of reaction
time in the HAuCl(4)solution. The photoluminescence spectra exhibit two emission bands
at 371 and 575 that corresponds to the band edge emission and defect related emissions,
respectively. The photocatalytic activity of the nanostructures that are prepared
on the substrate has been tested for degradation of RhB by the illumination of ultra
violet light on the nanostructures produced by commercially available lower power
UV lamp.
