Self-assembly and template-free synthesis of ZnO hierarchical nanostructures and their photocatalytic properties

Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
Hongshun ZhouZheng Jiao

Abstract

Despite significant progress in the field of semiconductor photocatalysis has been made, it is still a great challenge to prepare low-cost photocatalysts with high activities. In our work, three dimensional (3D) flower-like ZnO hierarchical nanostructures assembled with numerous nanosheets were fabricated by a simple, template-free and one-step hydrothermal route. The products were characterized by XRD, UV-Vis, PL, SEM, TEM, HRTEM techniques. In the process, NH4F played a crucial role for the formation of ZnO hierarchical nanostructures, which was acted both as the alkali source and morphology director. Furthermore, the growth of ZnO involved a phase transformation from intermediate compound ZnF(OH) to ZnO. To further improve the photocatalytic activity, Ag-doped ZnO photocatalyst was also prepared. The photocatalytic results indicated that the Ag/ZnO exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than the pure ZnO. The great enhancement was mainly ascribed to their unique hierarchical nanostructures as well as the modification of Ag nanoparticles. Additionally, both ZnO and Ag/ZnO microspheres showed good recycling stabilities over several separation cycles in photodegradation.

References

Mar 3, 2009·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Yang GuoXuebo Cao
Aug 27, 2009·Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids·Diwakar ShuklaAnurag Mehra
Jul 21, 2011·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Hongchun QinTao He
Oct 25, 2012·Chemical Society Reviews·Yiding LiuYadong Yin
Mar 23, 2013·ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·Prabhakar RaiYeon-Tae Yu

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Citations

Oct 4, 2015·Journal of Colloid and Interface Science·Yu MiaoXuedong Zhu
Nov 10, 2015·Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP·Linqi ShiYanhong Lin
Mar 8, 2020·Water Science and Technology : a Journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research·Xiaoyi ShenYuchun Zhai

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