Effect of ZnO Electrodeposited on Carbon Film and Decorated with Metal Nanoparticles for Solar Hydrogen Production

In this study, we prepared horn-like ZnO structures on carbon films (ZnO/CF) by electrodeposition and decorated the ZnO horns with different metals (Ag, Au, and Pt) via photodeposition (M–ZnO/CF). Using M–ZnO/CF as photocatalysts, we examined ways to enhance solar hydrogen production from various points of view, such as modifying the intrinsic physical properties and thermodynamics of the materials, and varying the chemical environment during M–ZnO/CF fabrication. In particular, we focused on the effects of the carbon film and metals in M–ZnO/CF hybrid photocatalysts on solar hydrogen production. The type of metal nanoparticles is an important factor in solar hydrogen production because the deposition rate and electrical conductivity of each metal affect the proton–water reduction ability.