Effects of operational conditions of microwave-assisted synthesis on morphology and photocatalytic capability of zinc oxide

Zinc oxide (ZnO) products with different morphologies, such as sheets, rods and tubes, were successfully synthesized by a simple, rapid, and energy saving microwave hydrothermal method. ZnO products characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman, UV–vis, and photoluminescence spectrometers were found to have good crystal quality. As a catalyst, they could effectively photodegrade 10 mg/L of methyl orange within 1 h. ZnO products with hollow tubular structures could be synthesized within 3 h at 373 K and 400-W microwave irradiation power. Washing ZnO products with deionized water after microwave treatment was found to form desired hollow tubular structures.