Morphology Dependent Photocatalytic Properties of ZnO Nanostructures

Abstract

ZnO nanostructures of different morphology (Rods, spindles, stars, buds) were successfully synthesized by co‐precipitation method. The prepared ZnO nanostructures were systematically characterized by X‐ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). XRD results show the prepared nanostructures were in the hexagonal wurtzite structure. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution under UV‐irradiation was investigated with different ZnO nanostructures. The photocatalytic experiments reveal that spindle like nanostructures showed fast photocatalytic activity compared to the other rods, stars and buds like nanostructures.