Facile template-free fabrication of mesoporous ZnCo2O4 fibers with enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible-light irradiation

• Published in: Materials letters Vol. 220; pp. 66 - 69
• Main Authors: Chen, Jun, Zhan, Jing, Lu, Erju, Wan, Yuchi, Jin, Zhen, Qi, Haozhi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2018
• Subjects: Mesoporous fibers; Photocatalytic activity; Template-free; ZnCo2O4; Mesoporous fibers; Photocatalytic activity; Template-free; ZnCo2O4
• ISSN: 0167-577X; 1873-4979
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2018.02.135

•Mesoporous ZnCo2O4 fibers was prepared for the first time by a facile and promising for large-scale industrial production method.•The fibrous mesoporous structure exhibited large specific surface area.•Mesoporous ZnCo2O4 fibers showed excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity.•The high photocatalytic activity was related to unique fibrous mesoporous structure. Well-dispersed mesoporous ZnCo2O4 fibers as photocatalyst was synthesized by easy-controlled facile template-free and large-scale synthesis method. The morphology, crystal structure and surface area of the as-prepared ZnCo2O4 were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and N2 adsorption-desorption analysis. The resultant ZnCo2O4 showed typical intertwined porous structures with specific surface area of 141 m2/g, average pore size of 8.7 nm and strong absorption to visible-light wavelength. As-prepared ZnCo2O4 possessed excellent photocatalytic activity for malachite green compared with Degussa commercial P25 photocatalyst. The degradation efficiency of malachite green reached up to 96.8% after irradiation for 180 min.