Highly active ZnO-based biomimetic fern-like microleaves for photocatalytic water decontamination using sunlight

摘要: Abstract Here we present the highly enhanced sunlight photocatalytic efficiency and photocorrosion resistance of biomimetic ZnO-modified micro/nanofern fractal architectures, which are synthesized by using a novel, simple, inexpensive green electrochemical deposition approach in high stirring conditions. Such fern-like hierarchical structures simultaneously combine angle independent light trapping surface/bulk modifications ZnO morphology to drastically increase: i) absorption visible near-infrared range, ii) surface volume ratio architecture. This combination is crucial for boosting efficiency. To modulate electronic properties extending operation photocatalysts into domain have used three different modification approaches: sulfidation (leading ZnS shell), Ag decoration, Ni-doping. The bioinspired been demonstrate their photodegradation photoremediation persistent organic pollutants –methylene blue, 4-nitrophenol, Rhodamine B – under UV light, simulated natural UV-filtered sunlight. Remarkably, ZnO@ZnS core@shell exhibited an outstanding activity compared pristine catalyst, with over 6-fold increase pollutant degradation rate when solar light. In fact, catalytic performance micro/nanoferns comparable or better than most competitive state-of-the-art photocatalysts, but showing negligible photocorrosion. Ag-decorated ZnO, Ni-doped similar excellent visible-sunlight Although showed relatively poor resistance, it was acceptable ZnO. Therefore, easy fabrication capacity enhance micro/nanoferns, together practically simple recyclability terms non-catalyst poisoning, makes them very promising water remediation.