Porous NiO/ZnO flower-like heterostructures consisting of interlaced nanosheet/particle framework for enhanced photodegradation of tetracycline

Various NiO/ZnO heterostructures have been prepared by a facile solvothermal method combined with subsequent calcination process. By adjusting the adding proportion of Ni/Zn, the superior performance in photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) can be achieved in porous NiO/ZnO flower-like microstructures consisting of interlaced nanosheet/particle framework. Compared with NiO hollow microspheres, flower-like NiO/ZnO samples exhibit the enhanced photocatalytic performance with high efficiency of 92% within 30 min as well as good photocatalytic cycle stability to TC, which is mainly ascribed to the combination of larger specific surface area (162.1 m2/g), unique surface/interface effect, faster electron/hole separation, and higher electron transmission. This work paves the way for other oxide composites applied as novel photocatalysts based on the design and construction of interlaced nanosheet/particle heterostructures.