Effect of preparation parameters on the morphologically induced photocatalytic activities of hierarchical zinc oxide nanostructures

Hierarchical zinc oxide nanostructures were successfully synthesized by facile hydrothermal and sonochemical routes using citrate and PEG as structure directing agents. The effect of precursor concentration and preparation methods on the formation of typical morphology was systematically studied under hydrothermal and sonochemical conditions. Different concentrations of zinc acetate, sodium citrate and NaOH under hydrothermal and sonochemical methods generate different hierarchical structures such as flower-like, cabbage-like, and ellipsoidal ball-like morphologies, depending on the preparation conditions. The as-prepared ZnO samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission election microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and particle size distribution (PSD) analysis. Catalytic activities of the as-prepared samples were studied by photodegradation of Methylene blue.