Porous NiO/ZnO flower-like heterostructures consisting of interlaced nanosheet/particle framework for enhanced photodegradation of tetracycline

[Display omitted] •Porous NiO/ZnO flower-like microstructures were obtained by a facile method.•The structure feature is focused on the interlaced nanosheet/particle framework.•Morphological evolution mainly depends on the adding proportion of Ni/Zn.•Unique p-n heterojunction of NiO/ZnO leads to superior photocatalytic properties.•The method can be used for obtaining other composites with interlaced morphology. Various NiO/ZnO heterostructures have been prepared by a facile solvothermal method combined with subsequent calcination process. By adjusting the adding proportion of Ni/Zn, the superior performance in photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC) can be achieved in porous NiO/ZnO flower-like microstructures consisting of interlaced nanosheet/particle framework. Compared with NiO hollow microspheres, flower-like NiO/ZnO samples exhibit the enhanced photocatalytic performance with high efficiency of 92% within 30 min as well as good photocatalytic cycle stability to TC, which is mainly ascribed to the combination of larger specific surface area (162.1 m2/g), unique surface/interface effect, faster electron/hole separation, and higher electron transmission. This work paves the way for other oxide composites applied as novel photocatalysts based on the design and construction of interlaced nanosheet/particle heterostructures.