Self-assembly synthesis of ZnO with adjustable morphologies and their photocatalytic performance

ZnO with hierarchical microspheres and hexagonal prisms structures were successfully synthesized by hydrothermal microemulsion route. Based on X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy observation of the products at the different reaction time periods, the formation mechanism of three-dimensional hierarchical ZnO microspheres was proposed. Ultraviolet and visible diffuse reflectance spectra indicated that as-synthesized ZnO microspheres had enhanced absorption in both ultraviolet and visible light areas. The photocatalytic activities of as-synthesized products were evaluated by monitoring the degradation of methylene blue solution. Due to the synergistic effects of the high crystallization and special hierarchical structure, the hierarchical ZnO microsphere exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity.