The interface design and properties enhancement of ZnO/cellulose composites: Branching fiber network to guide the assembly of ZnO flower.

Using renewable biomass resources to regulate the growth and properties of catalysts is sustainable nanotechnology for achieving efficient photocatalysis and recycling. This work suggested a way to produce paper-based photocatalysts and resize the embedded zinc oxide (ZnO) flowers. The combination of experimental analysis and theoretical simulations demonstrated that small pores of the branching fiber network enhanced the interfacial interaction between ZnO flowers and cellulose fibers, thereby improving mechanical properties and optimizing flower structure. The interaction energy and electron density difference (EDD) simulation results demonstrated that the ZnO/cellulose interface structure shares significant attraction and charge transfer. Cellulose fibers ground for 20 cycles (CFG20) possessed dense branching fiber network and loaded with the smallest ZnO flowers, achieving a balance of strong mechanical properties and reaction efficiency. Remarkably, ZnO/CFG20 paper-based catalyst indicated strong photodegradation efficiency (100% for methyl orange, 100% for phenol, and 85.23% for aniline) and excellent reusability. This work will pave the way for the green regulation of catalysts.