Preparation and photocatalytic property of hexagonal cylinder-like bipods ZnO microcrystal photocatalyst

Abstract Single crystalline ZnO with hexagonal cylinder-like bipods morphologies were successfully synthesized via a cationic surfactant-assisted hydrothermal microemulsion route. The structure, morphologies and properties of the as-prepared samples were determined using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectrum and Ultraviolet and Visible absorption spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the obtained products were evaluated by the degradation of Reactive Brilliant Red K-2BP in aqueous solution under a variety of conditions. Under the optimum condition, approximately 99.5% decolorization efficiency within 45 min and 65.3% TOC removal efficiency within 3 h were achieved, which were higher than that by the commercial ZnO. Moreover, the degradation products were analyzed by a gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry system and the probable pathways for the formation of the intermediates were proposed. The photocatalytic results indicated that the as-prepared ZnO showed good photocatalytic activity and it could be considered as a promising photocatalyst for dyes wastewater treatment.