Abstract
ZnO nanoglobules were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process. The detailed structural characterizations revealed that the prepared ZnO nanostructures were uniform, crystalline and with the controlled morphology of nanoglobule-like structures. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoglobules was evaluated on degrading methyl orange dye under UV irradiation. A fast decomposition of the MO dye was observed with a degradation rate of ~94.3% within 150min, which was attributed to the high crystalline quality of ZnO nanostructures that produced reactive sites over the catalyst surface to decompose the MO dye.
•We demonstrated a facile hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanoglobules-like structures.•The nanostructures are used as photocatalyst for a fast decomposition of methyl orange dye.•Methyl orange dye exhibits ~94.3% decomposition within 150min under UV irradiation.