Constructing MnO2/single crystalline ZnO nanorod hybrids with enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial activity

Abstract In order to improve the photocatalytic and antibacterial activity of ZnO nanorods, ZnO nanorods decorated with MnO 2 nanoparticles (MnO 2 /ZnO nanorod hybrids) were prepared by using microwave assisted coprecipitation method under the influence of hydrogen peroxide, and the structure, photocatalytic activity and antibacterial property of the products were studied. Experimental results indicated that MnO 2 nanoparticles are decorated on the surface of single crystalline ZnO nanorods. Moreover, the resultant MnO 2 /ZnO nanorod hybrids have been proven to possess good photocatalytic and antibacterial activity, which their degradated efficiency for Rhodamin B (RhB) is twice as the pure ZnO nanorods. Enhancement for photocatalytic and antibacterial activity is mainly attributed to the low band gap energy and excellent electrochemical properties of MnO 2 nanoparticles.