Nano needle decorated ZnO hollow spheres with exposed (0001) planes and their corrosion using acetic acid

ZnO hollow spheres, which were made of ZnO nanoneedles and had larger (0001) planes than conventional structures, were successfully prepared by a one-pot hydrothermal method. The surface of the hollow spheres was composed of highly active crystal (0001) planes. The surface changes of the spheres were studied by controlling the reaction time. It was indicated that with prolonged reaction time, the (0001) planes of the hollow spheres gradually disappeared under acetic acid etching. Acetic acid played a very important role in the formation of ZnO hollow spheres. The long-time corrosion reduces the surface (0001) planes, making the structure looser which increases the specific surface area. From the results of the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB), it can be seen that larger (0001) planes were favorable for photocatalysis.