Tunable synthesis of various ZnO architectural structures with enhanced photocatalytic activities

ZnO nanoparticles with various morphologies are successfully synthesized via a facile solution combustion method without using any templates or surfactants. The prepared ZnO nanoparticles possess good-crystallinity and wurtzite hexagonal phase. Interestingly, the morphology of ZnO can be adjusted by changing the annealing temperature. ZnO nanocubes annealed at 600 °C exhibit superior photocatalytic activity for photodegradation of methyleneblue (MB) under UV-light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the highly reactive {002} facets exposed, which facilitate the adsorption of organic molecules and degradation reactions with more catalytically active sites. This work provides simple strategy for the development of efficient photocatalysts for solar energy conversion applications in solving energy crisis and environmental pollution problems.