Preparation of tetrapod-like ZnO/TiO2 core-shell nanostructures as photocatalytic powder

The coupling of zinc oxide tetrapods (t-ZnO) with anatase TiO2 in the form of CVD coatings on ZnO nanotetrapods was investigated. t-ZnO/TiO2 core-shell structures, consisting of uniformly and completely TiO2 covered ZnO nanotetrapods, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and UV-Vis spectra. Photocatalytic activity, determined by degradation of a sodium methyl red solution, was found to be comparable to pure t-ZnO, while improved separation easiness was verified that makes the presented powders promising for wastewater treatment. (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)