Controlling the 3D flower‐like ZnO via simple precipitation method and its formation mechanism and photocatalytic application

Abstract The stratified ZnO has been known to be an efficient photocatalyst. However, its morphological control is limited because of the strict conditions. In this study, the 3D flower‐like ZnO was synthesized by the simple precipitation method. Its morphology was simply controlled by changes in NaOH and trisodium citrate dihydrate content and reaction temperature. Flower‐like ZnO has been produced in different sizes and petals thicknesses with the variation of trisodium citrate dihydrate. Besides, at 0.25 M NaOH, the ZnO‐1NaOH was 5 μm in size assembled from numerous petals with an average thickness of 13 nm. The morphology changed at higher NaOH content, it was observed as a triangular prism for the ZnO‐2NaOH sample. While the reaction temperature changed the thickness of the petals. The plausible formation mechanism of flower structure was proposed. The catalytic activity of ZnO was demonstrated through the decomposition of tetracycline hydrochloride (THC) under visible light. In addition, the stability and photocatalytic mechanism of ZnO were studied.