Preparation and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles Supported on Amorphous SiO₂.

In order to reduce the primary particle size of zinc oxide (ZnO) and eliminate the agglomeration phenomenon to form a monodisperse state, Zn(2+) was loaded on the surface of amorphous silica (SiO₂) by the hydrogen bond association between hydroxyl groups in the hydrothermal process. After calcining the precursors, dehydration condensation among hydroxyl groups occurred and ZnO nanoparticles supported on amorphous SiO₂ (ZnO-SiO₂) were prepared. Furthermore, the SEM and TEM observations showed that ZnO nanoparticles with a particle size of 3-8 nm were uniformly and dispersedly loaded on the surface of amorphous SiO₂. Compared with pure ZnO, ZnO-SiO₂ showed a much better antibacterial performance in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test and the antibacterial properties of the paint adding ZnO-SiO₂ composite.