Preparation of nano-ZnO/regenerated cellulose composite particles via co-gelation and low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis

• Nano-ZnO/ regenerated cellulose particles were successfully prepared.
• ZnCl2 solution was used as the solvent of cellulose and the zinc source of ZnO.
• The particles were prepared via co-gelation and hydrothermal synthesis.
• The particles consisted of cellulose in the center and ZnO on the surface.
• ZnO nanoflakes have lamellar thickness of about 100 nm.

The nano-ZnO/regenerated cellulose composite particles were prepared via a novel co-gelation and low temperature hydrothermal synthesis by using ZnCl2 aqueous solution as both solvent of cellulose and zinc source of ZnO nanoflakes. The reaction system was systematically studied and the optimal reaction conditions for growing the nano-ZnO/regenerated cellulose particles were determined to be liquid: solid ratio of 30:1, solution pH=7, and hydrothermal temperature of 120 °C. The composite particles consisted of regenerated cellulose in the center and hexagonal structured ZnO nanoflakes with thickness of 100 nm, on the surface. The nano-ZnO/regenerated cellulose composite particles were decomposed at 300 °C, and the total weight loss was 67%. This novel synthesis strategy can be very useful for preparing eco-friendly nano-ZnO/regenerated cellulose composite structure in photocatalytic industry.