Tourmaline@ZnO Core-Shell Structural Composites: Fabrication, Characterization, and Optical Properties

Based on natural tourmaline particles as the inner core and zinc acetate solution as the Zn source, ZnO shell layers have been fabricated by the facile synthesis routine of chemical bathing deposition under different reaction temperatures. The structural and crystalline characterization of the core-shell composites are determined experimentally by Raman spectra and x-ray diffraction. The morphological and componential investigations are achieved by scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer. The absorptive and luminescent properties are explored by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopic measurements. The photocatalytic performances are evidenced under Xenon lamp irradiation utilizing methyl orange dye as the model compound. The results indicate that the catalysis efficiencies of the hybrid tourmaline@ZnO products are relatively superior in lower temperature cases, while the contributions originating from the tourmaline core to the crystal growth and catalytic activity of ZnO are further elucidated.