Abstract
Homogeneous ZnO powders with antibacterial activity have been synthesized by hydrothermal treatment at 160∼190°C under 1.01∼1.09 MPa for 10∼50 h using Zn(NO3)2·6H2O, hexamethylenetetramine ((CH2)6N4) and ethanol. Their particle morphology and specific surface areas have been characterized in relation with the synthesis conditions. A luminol chemiluminescence (CL) measurement has been applied to evaluate their antibacterial activity under dark conditions. Experimental results revealed that the ZnO nanorod powders (a length ≤ 500 nm and a diameter ≤ 100 nm), prepared under the conditions of 160°C/20h/1.09MPa, showed the highest photon counts of 3.75×105, which value was ten times higher than that (3.59×104 counts) of conventional ZnO powders commercially available.
