Abstract: The spherical ZnO nanoclusters with high photocatalytic activity were prepared through microwave-assisted method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), scanning electron microscope(SEM), and nitrogen adsorption/desorption determination. The results indicate that the produced ZnO has wurtzite crystal structure, and the ZnO synthesized through microwave-assisted shows spherical nanoclusters, and its diameter is at about 3-4 μm. The inside and outside of the nanoclusters are different and the epidermis is formed by closely and neatly packed uniform ZnO nano-rods, the kernel has a lots of layered frame consisted by nano ZnO particals. The material is mesoporous and has larger surface area. Photocatalytic properties of the as-synthesized ZnO were tested by the UV irradiation and the microwave enhanced photodegradation of Rhodamine B(RhB). The results show that spherical ZnO nanoclusters synthesized by microwave-assisted exhibit higher photocatalytic activities than that of the sample no microwave irradiation in the prepared process and P25 in microwave situation. In addition, the spherical ZnO nanoclusters can degrade many kinds of dye, the degradation rates of dyes, except for methyl orange, are over 90% within 40 min.

Key words: Microwave-assisted preparation, ZnO, Nanoclusters, Photocatalysis, Dye