Phuwadol Bangrak

Morphological, Photocatalytic and Bactericidal Properties of ZnO Powders Prepared by a Precipitation Method

Structural, optical and photocatalytic properties of ZnO powders prepared by a precipitation method were systematically investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV-Vis diffuse reflectance measurement and UV-Vis absorbance measurement. The antibacterial activity was tested by a broth microdilution method. All calcined ZnO powders exhibited a hexagonal wurtzite structure. The ZnO powders formed various shapes depending upon the concentration of n-propylamine used. The Eg value of ZnO powders depended upon defect concentration. The photocatalytic property of ZnO powders depended on the particle shape and defect concentration. The best photocatalytic efficiency of 100% was observed from the ZnO powders prepared at R = 2 after irradiating by the blacklight for 90 min. All ZnO powders can damage only S. aureus and the agglomerated sheet-like ZnO powders prepared at R = 2 showed the best antibacterial property with a MIC value of 1.5625 mg/mL.