Photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye by ZnO nanoneedle under UV irradiation

The ZnO nanoneedles (ZNNs) were grown in large quantity by thermal evaporation technique on non-catalytic Si (100) substrates and used as an effective photocatalyst for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye (MO). The detailed characteristics of ZNNs confirmed that the synthesized nanostructures are grown in high density and exhibit well-crystallinity with good optical properties. The photocatalytic properties of ZNNs were investigated under UV light irradiation. A fast decomposition of the MO dye was observed with a degradation rate of ~95.4% within 140min. •The high-quality ZnO nanoneedles were synthesized by thermal evaporation technique.•Their catalytic properties were investigated for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye.•ZNNs shows fast and efficient decomposition with degradation rate of 95.4% within the initial 140min.•The present study provides a low-cost, convenient approach for the degradation of methyl orange dye.