Influence of alkaline solutions on morphology of ZnO prepared by hydrothermal method for using as photocatalyst and bactericidal agent

• Multifunctional ZnO powders were synthesized by a hydrothermal method.
• n-Propylamine can inhibit the crystal growth.
• Alkaline solution influenced the particle shape.
• The Eg value was influenced by crystallite size and defect concentration.
• Photocatalytic and antibacterial activities depended on the particle shape.

ZnO powders were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. The crystallite size of ZnO decreased when n-propylamine was added into the solution. Hexagonal and rod-like ZnO structures formed when LiOH and NaOH were used as a precipitating agent, respectively. The Eg value depended upon the crystallite size and defect concentrations. The hexagonal ZnO platelets showed better photocatalytic efficiency compared to the rod-like ZnO powders. The rod-like ZnO shape exhibited better inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).