ZnO nanorod/nickel phthalocyanine hierarchical hetero-nanostructures with superior visible light photocatalytic properties assisted by H₂O₂

Needle-like ZnO nanorod (ZnO-NR)/2,9,16,23-tetra-phenoxy nickel phthalocyanine (TPNiPc) nanofiber hierarchical hetero-nanostructures have been successfully designed and constructed via a two-step hydrothermal approach on zinc foil. The as-prepared ZnO-NR/TPNiPc hierarchical hetero-nanostructure exhibited superior photocatalytic activities in degradation of Rhodamine B assisted by H2O2under visible light irradiation with excellent efficiency, recyclability and stability. The intermolecular electron transfer in the process of photocatalysis was further confirmed by the enhanced photocurrent. This method offers a simple, economical, and convenient way to obtain a highly efficient visible-light photocatalyst based on ZnO, showing great industrial application potential in eliminating the organic pollutants from wastewater.