Self-assembled synthesis of hierarchical Zn2GeO4 core-shell microspheres with enhanced photocatalytic activity

Hierarchically spherical materials with a core-shell structure are of special interest for a variety of promising applications. Although some advanced synthetic methods have been reported, the development of a facile strategy to fabricate hierarchically spherical materials with a core-shell structure is still desirable. Herein, hierarchical Zn2GeO4 core-shell microspheres, with stacked nanoparticles at the core and well-aligned rods at the shell, are successfully synthesized through a triethylenetetramine (TETA)-induced self-assembly route. They exhibit relatively high photocatalytic activity and stability towards degradation of organic pollutants under UV light irradiation. In addition, other diverse hierarchical Zn2GeO4 macrocrystals can be successfully prepared by rationally tuning the reaction parameters. The present synthetic strategy may allow access to fabricating other multifunctional materials with special artistical morphologies.