Controllable Synthesis of Different Dimensions Nano-ZnO by Microemulsion and Photocatalytic Activity

The zinc oxide nano-materials with three structures including 30?80nm spherical, length of 350nm rod and thickness of 50nm flake were synthesised at different volume ratio of water and oil phase (R) by the reverse phase microemulsion which consist of surfactant JFC, 1-octanol, cyclohexane and aqueous solution. The microstructures of zinc oxide nano-materials were observed by XRD, SEM, and HRTEM. The results show that the dimensions of zinc oxide nano materials are controlled by the shape of water core, and their crystal structures are controlled by the dynamic exchange of reactants between water cores and ZnO anisotropic growth in aqueous solution. Because the microemulsion conductivity is closely related to the water core shape, different morphology of zinc oxide nano-materials can be synthesized by adjusting conductivity. In addition, the photocatalytic properties of the different dimensions ZnO were evaluated with methyl orange aqueous solution as simulate pollutant. The result show that 1-D nano-ZnO has higher photocatalytic activity than 0-D and 2-D nano-ZnO materials.