Structurally enhanced photocatalytic activity of flower-like ZnO synthesized by PEG-assited hydrothermal route

Hierarchical nanostructured ZnO with uniform flower-like morphology was obtained by using PEG-assisted low-temperature (120 degrees C) hydrothermal route. These structures are formed by systematic assembly of nanosheets (10-25 nm thick) with dominant {2-1-10} planes. The products were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. These nanostructures display a strong structure-induced photocatalytic performance. It is observed that a significant improvement takes place in the photodegradation of methylene blue as compared with other morphologies such as; spheres, vesicular and nanosheets. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.