Growth mechanism of ZnO nanorod/Fe3O4 nanoparticle composites and their photocatalytic properties

Abstract ZnO nanorods/Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites as the recyclable photocatalyst were synthesized by a co-precipitation method, with microwave assistant by dropping alkaline solution with Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles into the aqueous of zinc salt. These Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles were the nucleated centers for the ZnO nanorods growth so that these nanorods ended with aggregated Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles. The growth processes and mechanism are explained as those insoluble zinc hydroxides prefer to nucleate on the surface of Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles (heterogeneous nucleation) rather than nucleated as isolated ZnO nanostructures (homogeneous nucleation). These nanocomposites have strong photocatalytic ability to reduce RhB and moderate magnetization, which make them being good recyclable photocatalysts.