Growth mechanism of ZnO nanorod/Fe3O4 nanoparticle composites and their photocatalytic properties

ZnO nanorods/Fe3O4 nanocomposites as the recyclable photocatalyst were synthesized by a co-precipitation method, with microwave assistant by dropping alkaline solution with Fe3O4 nanoparticles into the aqueous of zinc salt. These Fe3O4 nanoparticles were the nucleated centers for the ZnO nanorods growth so that these nanorods ended with aggregated Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The growth processes and mechanism are explained as those insoluble zinc hydroxides prefer to nucleate on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (heterogeneous nucleation) rather than nucleated as isolated ZnO nanostructures (homogeneous nucleation). These nanocomposites have strong photocatalytic ability to reduce RhB and moderate magnetization, which make them being good recyclable photocatalysts.