High special surface area and warm light responsive ZnO: Synthesis mechanism, application and optimization

In this study, a new series of zinc oxide (ZnO) with high specific surface area and narrow energy band gap are prepared using a facile microwave-induced method. The corresponding formation mechanism is also discussed for the first time. Due to the introduction of C, these ZnO can be excited by long wave temperature light without harmful short wave radiation, and play an efficient photocatalytic activity. This valuable property fundamentally improves the biological safety of its photocatalytic application. Herein, taking teeth whitening as an example, the photocatalytic performance of ZnO is evaluated. The pure yellow light-emitting diode (PYLED) with high biological safety is used as the excitation source. It is found that this method could effectively remove pigment on the tooth surface through physical adsorption. In addition, these ZnO could generate active oxygen to degrade the pigment on the tooth surface under the irradiation of yellow light. Some further optimization of these warm light responsive ZnO is also discussed in this systematical study, which could open up new opportunities in biomedical field.

Automated summary

A new series of zinc oxide with high specific surface area and narrow energy band gap was prepared using a simple microwave-induced method. These zinc oxide materials possess efficient photocatalytic activity and biological safety due to their ability to be excited by long wave temperature light and their removal of pigment on the tooth surface under yellow light irradiation. This research has opened up new opportunities for the biomedical field.