Highly porous, self-supported 3D interconnected network-based nanomaterials hold immense promise in revolutionizing the field of catalysis. These materials combine two critical features; a large accessible surface and an overall active surface that leads to substantial catalytic effects. In this study, we developed a novel class of 3D composite material composed of zinc oxide tetrapods (ZOT) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer, specifically designed for photocatalysis. A polymer composite of ZOT with PEG has been synthesized with 2.5 wt.% ZOT powder mixed with a PEG solution forming a 3D electrode. A consistent composite solution was obtained using probe-sonication and its thick layers were deposited on various substrates using the spin coating technique which were subsequently characterized for optical, morphological, and structural properties. The catalytic response of the fabricated 3D composite was evaluated both in solution and thin film forms under UV exposure. The surface-engineered ZOT-PEG composites showed an excellent capability to degrade the methylene blue (MB) dye in different forms under UV and normal light, opening their potential scopes in environmental remediation.

高度多孔、自支撑的 3D 互连网络纳米材料在彻底改变催化领域方面具有巨大的前景。这些材料结合了两个关键特征;较大的可接近表面和整体活性表面，可产生实质性的催化作用。在这项研究中，我们开发了一类由氧化锌四足动物 （ZOT） 和聚乙二醇 （PEG） 聚合物组成的新型 3D 复合材料，专为光催化而设计。用 2.5 wt.% ZOT 粉末与 PEG 溶液混合合成了 ZOT 与 PEG 的聚合物复合材料，形成 3D 电极。使用探针超声处理获得一致的复合溶液，并使用旋涂技术将其厚层沉积在各种基材上，随后对光学、形态学和结构特性进行了表征。在 UV 暴露下，以溶液和薄膜形式评估了所制备的 3D 复合材料的催化反应。表面工程 ZOT-PEG 复合材料在紫外光和常光下表现出优异的降解不同形式的亚甲基蓝 （MB） 染料的能力，开辟了它们在环境修复方面的潜在范围。