Template‐free synthesis of hierarchical zinc oxide with improved photocatalytic properties

Abstract

Novel hierarchical nano materials possess tremendous latent force in many applications. In this paper, hierarchical flower-like, spherical and bowl-like zinc oxide was successfully synthesized by altering solvent ratio (absolute ethanol and diethylene glycol) via a simple and templatefree solvothermal synthetic route. The solvent ratio also plays a vital role in deciding the structure, crystalline, band gap energy and specific surface area of the as-synthesized samples. The preparation mechanism of ZnO in mixed alcohols was discussed. The obtained samples were characterized by energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N2 adsorption-desorption, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared ZnO nanocrystals was evaluated by the degradation of MB under UV irradiation. Among, the most effective photocatalyst was synthesized when the diethylene glycol was 10 ml.