Hierarchical nanoflowers assembled with Au nanoparticles decorated ZnO nanosheets toward enhanced photocatalytic properties

Hierarchical nanoflowers assembled with Au nanoparticles (NPs) decorated ZnO nanosheets (Au-ZnO nanosheet flowers, AZNSFs) were successful synthesized. The AZNSF5 showed more efficient activity to photodegradation of RhB than that of pure ZnO nanosheet flowers and commercial ZnO nanopowders. The improved photocatalytic properties of the AZNSFs nanohybrids are attributed to the large specific surface area induced by the 3D hierarchical architectures, stable structure and the charge separation due to the electronic interaction between Au NPs and ZnO nanosheets. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.