ZnO nanorod/nickel phthalocyanine hierarchical hetero-nanostructures with superior visible light photocatalytic properties assisted by H2O2

Abstract

Needle-like ZnO nanorod (ZnO-NR)/2,9,16,23-tetra-phenoxy nickel phthalocyanine (TPNiPc) nanofiber hierarchical hetero-nanostructures have been successfully designed and constructed via a two-step hydrothermal approach on zinc foil. The as-prepared ZnO-NR/TPNiPc hierarchical hetero-nanostructure exhibited superior photocatalytic activities in degradation of Rhodamine B assisted by H₂O₂ under visible light irradiation with excellent efficiency, recyclability and stability. The intermolecular electron transfer in the process of photocatalysis was further confirmed by the enhanced photocurrent. This method offers a simple, economical, and convenient way to obtain a highly efficient visible-light photocatalyst based on ZnO, showing great industrial application potential in eliminating the organic pollutants from wastewater.