Microbundles of zinc oxide nanorods: Assembly in ionic liquid [EMIM]+[BF4]−, photoluminescence and photocatalytic properties

A simple, efficient and low-temperature approach for the assembly of hierarchical Zinc oxide (ZnO) microstructures in ionic liquid [EMIM]+[BF4]− is reported. The as-obtained ZnO superstructures are composed of microbundles of nanorods from the center points, with the diameter and length in the range of 100–150 nm and 2–4 μm, which have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The ZnO microstructures exhibit significant defect-related green-yellow emission and high photodegradation of dye Methyl Orange (5×10−5 mol/L) under UV excitation within 80 min.

Graphical abstractEasy formation of microbundles of ZnO nanorods were accomplished in low temperature with [EMIM]+[BF4]− (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate) ionic liquid, which exhibit significant green-yellow photoluminescence property and high photodegradation of Methyl Orange dye.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Ionic liquid assisted solid-state route was introduced into synthesis of ZnO nanorods. ► The distinctive microbundles ZnO nanorod assembles was evidenced by SEM and TEM. ► ZnO nano-material exhibited high efficiency in photodegradation of Methyl Orange.