Preparation, characterization, catalytic performance and antibacterial activity of Ag photodeposited on monodisperse ZnO submicron spheres

Monodisperse ZnO colloidal spheres were produced by a two-stage sol–gel reaction process. The sub-micrometer sized ZnO/Ag composite spheres were prepared by photodeposition route. The photochemical reduction method needs no other reductant or surfactant and is an effective means to enable the uniform distribution of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) over the ZnO spheres. The size and shape as well as the optical properties of the composites were characterized with transmission electron microscopy and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The results showed that average size of ZnO and Ag NPs among the composites was around 480, 10 nm, respectively. Ag NPs were relatively monodisperse, presented spherical shape, and their deposition over the ZnO surface was uniform. Formation of Ag NPs on the surface of ZnO spheres was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the catalytic performance and antibacterial activity was also investigated. The ZnO/Ag composites possess excellent catalytic performance for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol and can effectively inhibit Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis growth at 0.25 mg/mL.