Stainless steel wire mesh-supported ZnO for the catalytic photodegradation of methylene blue under ultraviolet irradiation

► Novel support of ZnO nanoparticles for photodegradation of organic contaminants. ► Small size of ZnO particles is key for high activity. ► The best catalyst has superior activity to TiO2 P25. ► Catalyst deactivation can be recognised by the reaction order.