Flower-like hierarchical zirconium oxide sulphate was prepared using Zr(SO4)2·4H2O and CH3COONa as raw materials via a hydrothermal process and the precursor could be transformed by calcination to zirconia nanostructures, maintaining the original morphology. The zirconium oxide sulphate and zirconia nanostructures were investigated in detail and possible formation mechanisms are proposed. In the formation of the flower-like hierarchical zirconium oxide sulphate, pH control by CH3COONa played a crucial role in determining the morphology. Flower-like hierarchical zirconia showed excellent photocatalytic activity for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B.
