Microwave accelerated synthesis of zinc oxide nanoplates and their enhanced photocatalytic activity under UV and solar illuminations

- Rapid microwave treatment of thermolysis derived polar precursors resulted 2-D nanomaterials.
- Nanocrystalline (<100 nm) ZnO with non-polar (1 0 1) surface were synthesized.
- The ZnO nanoplates showed enhanced photoactivity under both UV and solar illuminations.
- Microwave derived ZnO showed better catalytic efficiencies than standard TiO2.
- Active two dimensional open surfaces and oxygen defects resulted better photoactivity.