Enhanced photocatalytic performance of ZnO nanocrystals with different morphological variation and their structural characterization

Nanocrystalline ZnO powder and different morphological structure of ZnO (both Rod and Flower like) are synthesized through mechanical alloying and a simple wet chemical route without using any template at room temperature respectively. Here, we report primarily different morphological structure of ZnO and their microstructure interpretations by analyzing X-ray diffraction patterns employing Rietveld refinement and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). UV-Vis spectrum reveals the change in optical band gap of ZnO due to morphological changes. The photocatalytic activity of these nanostructures has also been presented. The ZnO nanostructures like nanorods and nanoflowers exhibit an excellent photocatalytic activity in compare to that of nanoparticles. Being a wide band gap semiconductor, these unique nanostructures will have a prospective application in ZnO based dye sensitized solar cells.