Green synthesis of hollow-nanostructured ZnO2 and ZnO

Abstract: ZnO2 hollow nanospheres and nanotubes were synthesized via hydrothermal treatment of ZnO submicron-sized powder in 20vol.% H2O2 aqueous solution at 120°C for 6h, and ZnO with similar hollow nanostructures could be obtained by thermal decomposition of the hydrothermally-synthesized ZnO2 hollow nanospheres and nanotubes in air at 200°C for 6h. The possible formation mechanisms of the ZnO2 and ZnO hollow nanostructures were proposed. The present work pointed out a simple, cost-effective and green way of converting bulk ZnO powder into hollow-nanostructured ZnO2 and ZnO powders. The as-synthesized hollow-nanostructured ZnO2 and ZnO powders have promising uses as catalysts, adsorbents and light weight fillers, etc. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]