A KMITL team synthesised ZnO from zinc acetate or nitrate using low-temperature one-step sol-gel processing. Adding hexamethylenetetramine produced smaller, more uniform rods/flakes with improved crystallinity and pore connectivity. Despite not maximising surface area, HMTA samples generated more reactive species and degraded rhodamine B more effectively under UV.
Key findings
- All samples were phase-pure hexagonal wurtzite by the reported analysis. HMTA yielded smaller, more uniform rods and flakes. Acetate-derived ZnO without HMTA had the highest surface area, but HMTA samples had crystallinity, morphology and pore connectivity favouring charge separation and ROS, improving RhB degradation.
Why this matters globally
Low-temperature synthesis without post-treatment may reduce processing steps and energy for dye-treatment catalysts or functional surfaces if scalable and effective under lower-energy light.
Thai researcher contribution
KMITL nanoscience researchers collaborated with Kyoto University authors on precursor/HMTA effects on structure and photocatalysis.
Limitations to consider
Kinetic constants, adsorption controls, quantum yield, repeatability and HMTA residues are not reported. RhB is a model dye and UV is energy intensive; real wastewater, reuse, leaching, ecotoxicity and life-cycle energy are absent. Nanoparticulate ZnO should not be assumed universally non-toxic.