Heterogeneous lollipop-like V₂O₅/ZnO array: A promising composite nanostructure for visible light photocatalysis

ZnO/V₂O₅ core-shell nanostructures have been prepared by a two-step synthesis route through combined hydrothermal growth and magnetron sputtering. After annealing under oxygen ambience, a ZnO/V ₂O₅ heterogeneous lollipop-like nanoarray formed. The microstructure and crystal orientation of those nanolollipops were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), which show single crystal structure. The optical properties were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and showed quite different absorption curves for the as-deposited and annealed samples. The ZnO/V₂O ₅ nanolollipops demonstrated excellent photocatalytic activity in terms of decomposing 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) under visible light, indicating their promising potential as catalysts for industrial wastewater and soil pollution treatments.