ZnO@ZnS hollow dumbbells–graphene composites as high-performance photocatalysts and alcohol sensors

Novel ZnO@ZnS hollow dumbbells–graphene composites have been successfully fabricated through a polymer-assisted hydrothermal reaction and sulfurization treatment. Because of the formation of heterostructures and a new transfer pathway of electrons from ZnS to graphene, the composites show significantly superior photocatalytic activities than ZnO dumbbells and ZnO@ZnS hollow dumbbells. The improved electric conductivity and the improved adsorption and diffusion of gas molecules also endow them with excellent sensitivity and selectivity toward alcohol gas. This paper presents a promising method to fabricate semiconductor heterostructure–graphene composites for high-efficiency photocatalysts and gas sensors.