MOF-Derived hierarchical porous 3D ZnO/Ag nanostructure as a reproducible SERS substrate for ultrasensitive detection of multiple environmental pollutants

•The 3D hierarchical porous ZnO/Ag structure is first synthesized by calcining ZIF-8 and evaporation-induced self-assembly of Ag NPs.•The 3D porous ZnO/Ag substrate shows excellent SERS sensitivity and has advantages of linearity, versatility, stability, and reproducibility.•The 3D porous ZnO/Ag substrate shows an ultra-sensitivity for detecting various types of molecules, e.g., R6G, CV, tetracycline, and thiram.•The ZnO/Ag nanostructure has a good self-cleaning ability under UV-irradiation.