Morphology-controlled green approach for synthesizing the hierarchical self-assembled 3D porous ZnO superstructure with excellent catalytic activity

In this work, we report a strategy for synthesizing morphology-controlled hierarchical self-assembled, three dimensional (3D) porous wool ball (W-ball) like zinc oxides (ZnO) with excellent catalytic performance. A precursor, hydrozincite (Zns(CO3)(2)(OH)(6)), was first synthesized via a green urea-glycerol assisted template-free hydrothermal approach, which was calcined to form crystalline 3D porous ZnO having nanostructured morphology. The effect of synthesis process parameters which control the morphology of ZnO were studied. ZnO was found to possess tunable pore characteristics with comparatively high specific surface area of 68 m(2) g(-1), and excellent acid-base surface properties. Prepared catalysts exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance for the treatment of highly toxic rhodamine B (RhB) dye under UV radiation. Zeta (zeta)-potential and dye adsorption tests were performed. Reusability experiments showed that after five cycles, catalysts exhibited 87% removal efficiency without any noticeable loss of the activity. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.