A new preparation method to significantly improve the photocatalytic activity of ZnO particles

ZnO nanoparticles, which are considered as a photocatalyst for effluent degradation, are prepared by homogeneous precipitation and negative pressure baking at low temperature. The diameter of the ZnO nanoparticles is 16 ± 7 nm as determined by TEM. The results indicate that the usage of emulsifier in synthesis process can reduce the nanoparticle aggregation and the low temperature negative pressure baking method can avoid particle size expansion. Therefore, the ability of effluent degradation of the ZnO nanoparticles obtained by this method has been improved significantly.