Synthesis, photocatalytic and antibacterial activities of ZnO particles modified by diblock copolymer

Various shapes of ZnO particles were synthesized through a precipitation method as a low cost technique. The morphological changes due to the use of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide) copolymer as a stabilizer and precipitation from pH solutions of 8, 10 and 12 were investigated. The ZnO powder that was prepared from pH 10 showed the highest efficiency for degrading the dyes methylene blue, rhodamine B and reactive orange under backlight fluorescent tubes. This may be due to the highest surface area obtained from precipitation at this pH. These prepared ZnO particles also exhibited antibacterial effects that were stronger on Staphylococcus aureus than on Escherichia coli.

Graphical abstractVarious shapes of ZnO particles were prepared by the precipitation method in the ranges of pH 8–12. At pH 10, the hollow cone-like structure was found and it also shows the highest photocatalytic degradation of three dyes as methylene blue, rhodamine B and reactive orange.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► The ZnO rugby cone structure can be synthesized by precipitation method. ► The hollow cone structure has the best photocatalytic efficiency. ► Prepared ZnO particles show an antibacterial activity against E .Coli and S. aureus.