Abstract: Nano ZnO with different morphologies and sizes were synthesized by precipitation method with Zn( NO3 ) 2·6H2O, ammonia water and different surfactants as raw materials .The effect of surfactants on the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange by nano ZnO was studied . The crystalline phase , morphology , and optical absorption properties of the as-prepared nano ZnO were characterized by X-ray diffraction ( XRD ) , scanning electron microscope ( SEM ) , and UV-Vis spectroscopy etc . The photocatalytic capability of nano ZnO was tested using methyl orange being a degradation material . Results show that nano ZnO prepared by CTAB has uniformed paticle size , good dispersibility and less agglomeration , and exhibited the best photocatalytic degradation property that the degradation percentages is up to 90.6; within 2h.

Key words: Nano ZnO with different morphologies and sizes were synthesized by precipitation method with Zn( NO3 ) 2·6H2O, ammonia water and different surfactants as raw materials .The effect of surfactants on the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange by nano ZnO was studied . The crystalline phase , morphology , and optical absorption properties of the as-prepared nano ZnO were characterized by X-ray diffraction ( XRD ) , scanning electron microscope ( SEM ) , and UV-Vis spectroscopy etc . The photocatalytic capability of nano ZnO was tested using methyl orange being a degradation material . Results show that nano ZnO prepared by CTAB has uniformed paticle size , good dispersibility and less agglomeration , and exhibited the best photocatalytic degradation property that the degradation percentages is up to 90.6; within 2h.