ZnO/Ag heterostructured nanoassemblies: Wet-chemical preparation and improved visible-light photocatalytic performance

• ZnO/Ag heterostructured nanoassemblies were synthesized via a simple one-pot nonaqueous synthetic route.
• XRD, TEM, UV–vis spectroscopy and PL spectroscopy were used to characterize the as-prepared ZnO/Ag nanohybrids.
• These ZnO/Ag nanocomposites exhibited enhanced visible-light photocatalytic performance towards degradation of organic pollutants in comparison with single-component ZnO materials.

We reported a simple and convenient approach for the synthesis of high-yield ZnO/Ag nanocomposites by applying one-pot nonaqueous route. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results showed that the products consisted of metallic Ag and ZnO components; Ag nanoparticles were attached to the ZnO nanorod cores; ZnO/Ag hybrid nanoarchitectures displayed tunable optical properties. Moreover, these ZnO/Ag heterostructured nanoassemblies possessed enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity based on the unique ZnO–Ag interphase boundaries and synergetic effect between neighboring Ag nanoparticles and ZnO nanorods.