From zinc oxide nanoparticles to microflowers: A study of growth kinetics and biocidal activity

► Synthesis of amine capped zinc oxide nanoparticles ► Tuning the concentration of tri-n-propylamine to achieve morphological variation ► Photoluminescence indicates presence of defects in the form of oxygen vacancies. ► These nanostructures are biocidal against gram‐positive and ‐negative bacteria. ► Proposed reason for biocidal activity is the release of reactive oxygen species.