A facile process for the preparation of three-dimensional (3D) hollow Zn(OH)2 nanoflowers at room temperature

摘要

A facile strategy has been developed to synthesize double-shelled Zn(OH)2 nanoflowers (DNFs) at room temperature. The nanoflowers were generated via conversion of Cu2O nanoparticles (NPs) using ZnCl2 and Na2S2O3 by a simple process. Outward diffusion of the Cu²⁺, produced by an oxidation process on the surface of NPs, and the inward diffusion of Zn²⁺ by coordination and migration, eventually lead to a hollow cavity in the inner NPs with adouble-shelled 3D hollow flower shapes. The thickness of the inner and outer shells is estimated to be ~20 nm, and the thickness of nanopetals is about 7 nm. The nanoflowers have large surface areas and excellent adsorption properties. As a proof of potential applications, the DNFs exhibited an excellent ability to remove organic molecules from aqueous solutions.