ZIF-67-induced double-tubular 1D CeO2/Co3O4 heterostructures allowing electron transfer synergetic mechanism for enhanced photocatalytic performance.

• ZIF-67-induced double-tubular 1D CeO 2 /Co 3 O 4 heterostructures were obtained. • The variation from nanobelt to double-tubular shape relies on the amount of ZIF-67. • Samples show high specific surface area and superior photocatalytic property of MB. • Unique morphology and heterojunction cause electron transfer synergetic mechanism. • Double-tubular CeO 2 /Co 3 O 4 composite can be a promising photocatalyst for MB. ZIF-67-induced double-tubular 1D CeO 2 /Co 3 O 4 heterostructures have been prepared by an electrospinning method with tunable morphological evolution mechanism. As the adding amount of ZIF-67 increasing, the morphologies of CeO 2 -based nanomaterials are changed from porous granular nanobelt to smooth curly shape, and finally formed a double-tubular structure. The optimal CeO 2 /Co 3 O 4 products consisting of well-dispersed double-tubular nanostructure with the external diameter of about 200 nm display high specific surface area of 196.05 m2g−1 and superior photocatalytic performance of methylene blue (MB). The rapid degradation rate of 97% within 40 min and high cycling stability without significant decrease of photocatalytic activity could be attributed to the unique electron transfer synergetic mechanism based on the combination of double-tubular microstructure and CeO 2 /Co 3 O 4 heterojunctions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]