Spray drying assisted assembly of ZnO nanocrystals using cellulose as sacrificial template and studies on their photoluminescent and photocatalytic properties

Zincoxen cellulose solution was used as raw materials for the preparation of zincoxen/cellulose complex microspheres via a spray drying process. The obtained zincoxen/cellulose microspheres were turned into assemblies of ZnO nanocrystals upon calcinations at 500 or 700 °C. The assemblies of ZnO nanocrystals exhibit high photocatalytic activity for methyl orange degradation under ultraviolet light irradiation in aqueous solution and also satisfied reusability and stability of morphology and composition.