Fast synthesis of nanostructured ZnO particles from an ionic liquid precursor tetrabutylammonium hydroxide

Microwave irradiation could allow a more efficient and homogeneous heating of the reaction mixture to result in a fast synthesis. We propose a facile route for the synthesis of ZnO particles from an ionic liquid precursor with the assistance of microwave heating in which the ionic liquid has multifunctions (adsorbing microwave and acting as solvent, reactant, template) in the particle formation process. It demonstrates that ZnO particles with uniform size and morphology could be synthesized from tetrabutylammonium hydroxide ionic liquid precursor by the microwave heating method. Room temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy is measured to reveal the optical property of the as-obtained products. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity of the synthesized ZnO particles for the degradation of Rhodamine B is investigated.