ZnO–SnO2 Hollow Spheres and Hierarchical Nanosheets: Hydrothermal Preparation, Formation Mechanism, and Photocatalytic Properties

Abstract ZnO–SnO 2 hollow spheres and hierarchical nanosheets are successfully synthesized using an aqueous solution containing ZnO rods, SnCl 4 , and NaOH by using a simple hydrothermal method. The effects of hydrothermal temperature and time on the morphology of ZnO–SnO 2 are investigated. The formation process of ZnO–SnO 2 hollow spheres and nanosheets is discussed. The samples are characterized using X‐ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy. Both hollow spheres and hierarchical nanosheets show higher photocatalytic activities in the degradation of methyl orange than that of ZnO rods or SnO 2 .