•Yolk-shell ZnWO4/Ag microspheres were synthesized by photochemical method.•The photochemical method is simple and cost effective.•The composites displayed enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity.ZnWO4/Ag yolk-shell microspheres have been prepared by a simple and cost effective photochemical method. The crystalline phase, physicochemical properties and morphologies of the products were characterized by XRD, UV–vis DRS, SEM, TEM and EDXA. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared ZnWO4/Ag samples was evaluated by the degradation of methyl blue (MB) under xenon lamp irradiation. In comparison with pure ZnWO4 yolk-shell microspheres, ZnWO4/Ag yolk–shell microspheres displayed dramatically better visible-light driven photocatalytic performance toward dye photo-removal reaction. In light of its outstanding performance and unique hollow structures, ZnWO4/Ag yolk–shell microspheres exhibit a promising potential application in the development of visible-light photocatalysts.

•A copolymer-assisted one-pot solution-based strategy is proposed to synthesize 3D hierarchical EuF3 architectures.•The copolymer and reaction time play crucial roles in the formation of EuF3 architectures.•Amphiphilic glucosyl triblock copolymer acts as complexing agents and dispersing stabilizers.With the assistance of amphiphilic glucosyl triblock copolymer, poly(acryloyl glucofuranose)-block-poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PAG-b-PNIPAM-b-PAA, PGNA), well-dispersed three-dimensional hierarchical EuF3 architectures have been synthesized via simple wet chemical method. The purity and morphological properties of as-prepared EuF3 are characterized by using FTIR, XRD, TEM and SEM. The time-dependent results indicate that the obtained EuF3 architectures with an average diameter of 3 µm are organized by nanodisks-assembled microspheres. As complexing agent and dispersing stabilizer, the copolymer plays a key role in the formation of hierarchical morphology. The BET surface area of the hierarchical EuF3 architectures is 108.32 m2/g. The photoluminescent spectrum of hierarchical EuF3 shows enhanced red emission compared with EuF3 nanodisks, suggesting a promising application in optical fields.

•Hierarchical nanowires-assembled YVO4 microspheres have been fabricated via L-Asp assisted hydrothermal route.•The amount of L-Asp and reaction time play crucial roles in the formation of hierarchical microspheres.•The hierarchical YVO4 microspheres show excellent photocatalytic property in degradation of RhB under UV light irradiation.Hierarchical YVO4 microspheres have been prepared via L-aspartic acid (L-Asp) assisted hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the crystalline phase and morphologies of the products. The SEM results from different reaction stages indicate that YVO4 microspheres are self-assembled by numerous nanowires with diameter of 30–50 nm. It is found that the amount of L-Asp and reaction time play crucial roles in the formation of hierarchical nanowires-assembled YVO4 microspheres. The photocatalytic properties of YVO4 were investigated by the decomposition of Rhodamine B (RhB) under UV light irradiation and exhibit good photocatalytic activities.

•3D hierarchical nanobelts-assembled Zn3(OH)2V2O7·2H2O microflowers have been fabricated via l-Asp assisted hydrothermal route.•l-Asp is used as the ligand and surface-functionalizing agent.•The amount of l-Asp and reaction time play crucial roles in the formation of Zn3(OH)2V2O7·2H2O microflowers.3D hierarchical flower-like Zn3(OH)2V2O7·2H2O microcrystals have been fabricated in a high yield via a simple hydrothermal process in the presence of l-aspartic acid (l-Asp). The purity, crystalline phase and morphologies of the products were characterized by XRD, TEM and SEM. The SEM results indicate that the microflowers are self-assembled by numerous nanobelts with mean diameter of 100 nm. During the process, l-Asp is chosen as the complexing and surface-functionalizing agent. It is found that the amount of l-Asp and reaction time have significant effects on the morphology of the Zn3(OH)2V2O7·2H2O micro/nanostructures. The photocatalytic properties of Zn3(OH)2V2O7·2H2O were investigated by the decomposition of RhB under UV light irradiation and exhibit good photocatalytic activities.