Fabrication of zinc sulphide hierarchical hollow spheres with photocatalytic property by a mild organic acid-assisted route

Large quantities of zinc sulphide hierarchical hollow spheres were successfully obtained by a mild organic acid-assisted route using zinc chloride anhydrous and thiourea as precursors. Malonic acid played a key role as a structure-directing agent in driving such hierarchical hollow spheres structures. Certain amounts of malonic acid are necessary in formation of zinc sulphide hierarchical hollow spheres. The photocatalytic properties of as-synthesised zinc sulphide hierarchical hollow spheres have been studied, which shows an excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of rhodamine B under ultra-violet.