Self-template synthesis of core–shell ZnO@ZIF-8 nanospheres and the photocatalysis under UV irradiation

• Core–shell ZnO@ZIF-8 nanospheres were synthesized via self-template method.
• Core–coronal–shell ZnO@ZIF-8 was obtained by morphological controlled synthesis.
• ZnO@ZIF-8 showed good activity in methylene blue degradation under UV irradiation.
• Ligand metal charge transfer is dominating photocatalytic mechanism.

Core–shell ZnO@zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZnO@ZIF-8) nanospheres was synthesized via a self-template method. Spherical ZnO is employed not only as the template but also as Zn(II) for the composition of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks-8 (ZIF-8). Core–shell ZnO@ZIF-8 showed molecule size selectivity and good photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation, and the outer ZIF-8 shell dominated the photocatalysis via ligand metal charge transfer mechanism during the degradation of methylene blue (MB). Photocatalysis of core–shell metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) will facilitate new efforts in the treatment of pollutants.