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A microscale hierarchical 3D flowerlike TiO2/PANI composite with enhanced photocatalytic activity was synthesized via a sol–gel method, and the as-synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, UV–vis adsorption, BJH, and TGA/DSC. The outcome of the photocatalytic experimental demonstrating the TiO2/PANI hybrid with a Ti/ANI (aniline) molar ratio of 1:1 (denoted as T/P) showed high photocatalytic activity upon the degradation of Congo red (CR) and methyl orange (MO) under both UV-light and sunlight irradiation. The unique hierarchical 3D flowerlike structure endows the T/P hybrid with a large surface area of 38.81 m2/g. The intermeshed PANI nanoflakes could make full use of the light resource by multiple reflections between the nanoflakes. Moreover, the intrinsic cavity of the hollow TiO2 nanoparticles can also increase the light-capturing efficiency. The synergistic effect between PANI and TiO2 hollow nanoparticles results in a reduction of the photoinduced electron–hole recombination rate as well as enhanced photocatalytic activity under UV-light and sunlight. Given the unique spatial structure and high photocatalytic characteristics of the T/P composite, there is great potential for applications in water treatment.

Porous 3D Ce-doped ZnO microflowers were prepared by hydrothermal method followed by low annealing process. The effects of Ce doping on the structural and photocatalytic properties of porous ZnO microflowers were investigated in detail. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDS, XPS, DRS, PL spectrum and BET surface area measurements. According to XRD analysis, both the crystalline structure of the synthesized pure ZnO and Ce-doped ZnO samples are hexagonal wurtzite. XPS results demonstrated that successfully synthesis of Ce 4+ doped ZnO. In addition, SEM morphologies showed the unique porous 3D flower-like structure of Ce-doped ZnO. Compared with the porous ZnO microflowers, the Ce-doped ZnO samples exhibit improved photocatalytic performance on decompose Rhodamine B (RhB). It is proposed that the special structural feature with a porous 3D structured and Ce modification lead to the rapid photocatalytic activity of the Ce-doped ZnO microflowers. Graphical AbstractPorous 3D Ce-doped ZnO microflowers were fabricated by using low temperature-hydrothermal method followed by a heat treatment process for the first time. Such the unique porous 3D structure of Ce-doped ZnO composites displays excellent photocatalytic activity on degradation of Rhodamine B. And the composite of Ce-doped ZnO is a promising candidate material for future treatment of contaminated water.

A series of flower-like Ag/ZnO composites was prepared with varying Ag content. The prepared photocatalyst displays excellent photocatalytic activity for RhB under UV and visible light. Ag/ZnO is a promising candidate material for the treatment of contaminated water.