Flower-like and hollow sphere-like ZnO assisted by microorganisms and their UV absorption and photo catalytic performance

Microorganisms were used to assist to synthesize two unique ZnO assembly structures via an easy and low cost two-step method in two experiments in this paper. The flower-like and hollow sphere-like ZnO were obtained by adding two different bacteria, respectively, through chemical deposition and self-assembly processes. The bacteria cells were removed easily at 550 degrees C, and it was revealed by TG/DSC. The unique structures obtained in two experiments were characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM and demonstrated the unique structures obtained were pure ZnO products. Furthermore, the mechanisms of the whole experiments were analyzed and it was indicated that the bacteria were served as template in chemistry deposition and self-assembly phase, and TEA coated on the bacteria promoted the ZnO particles to assemble around bacteria by an orient process. Finally, the UV-vis absorption spectrums of as-prepared samples assumed a red shift. Moreover, photo catalysis measurements exhibited that flower-like and hollow sphere-like ZnO have excellent ability to accelerate MB decolorize. It is verified bacteria are excellent templates for prepare unique ZnO structures to improve UV-vis absorbtion and photo catalytic performance.