Template-free synthesis and photocatalytic activity of hierarchical hollow ZnO microspheres composed of radially aligned nanorods. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Lijing; Han, Zhixuan; Li, Guo-Dong; Zhao, Zhen
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics and chemistry of solids. Volume 148(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: ZnO -- Hierarchical hollow microsphere -- Solvothermal method -- Photocatalytic property; Solids -- Periodicals; Solides -- Périodiques; Solids; Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2020.109719
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3697

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, hierarchical hollow ZnO microspheres with an average diameter of 3.5 μm are successfully synthesized via a simple template-free solvothermal route. And these microspheres are constructed by anisotropic single-crystalline ZnO nanorods which grows along the [0001] c-axis direction because of the selective adsorption of ethylene glycol. It is noted that ethylene glycol plays a crucial role in promoting the growth and aggregation of nanorod by comparing the effect of other solvents, such as water, ethanol, isopropanol and glycerol. Furthermore, the photocatalytic activity of as-obtained hollow ZnO microspheres is evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution. The photocatalytic performance reveals that these hollow ZnO microspheres can not only efficiently degradate the dye, but also show good stability during the cycling photodegradation. Graphical abstract: We report the facile synthesis of hierarchical hollow ZnO microspheres composed of radially aligned nanorods by a simple template-free solvothermal process using ethylene glycol as the solvent, and the as-prepared ZnO microspheres were shown to serve as an efficient and durable photocatalyst for degradation of methylene blue (MB). Image 1 Highlights: Hierarchical hollow ZnO microspheres composed of radially aligned nanorods are successfully prepared by a simple template-free solvothermal process. Ethylene glycol plays a crucial role in promoting the growth and aggregation of nanorod by comparing other solvents. The ZnO microspheres exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity for degradation of methylene blue.