J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2012, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (11): 961-968.

• Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology •     Next Articles

Screening the Insecticidal Effcacy of Nano ZnO Synthesized via in-situ Polymerization of Crosslinked Polyacrylic Acid as a Template

M. Mekewi1), Ahmed Shebl1), A.I. Imam2), M.S. Amin1) T. Albert1)   

  1. 1) Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, Egypt
    2) Plants Protection Department, Desert Research Center, Mataria, Cairo, Egypt
  • Received:2012-04-03 Revised:2012-05-18 Online:2012-11-09 Published:2012-11-09
  • Contact: M. Mekewi

Abstract:

Nano zinc oxide (ZnO) is a very useful and important material in many industrial and biological applications. In the present work, ZnO was synthesized by post thermal degradation of the precursor \zinc acetate di-hydrate" templated in crosslinked polyacrylic acid (PAA). The crosslinked PAA template was prepared through an in-situ polymerization process adopted in presence of ammonium per sulphate, as an initiator, and N, N´-methylene bis-acrylamide as the crosslinker. Variation of preparation parameters and their impact on the oxide stoichiometry, crystal structure, crystallite size and surface texture of the oxide were investigated. Energy dispersive X-ray technique (EDX), X-ray di®raction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were convincingly used to reveal the oxide structural features and characteristics. The performed bioassay tests indicated the e±cacy of this method of preparation to produce nano ZnO with novel insecticidal activity against the greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella.

Key words: Nano ZnO ,  in-situ polymerization ,  Polymer template ,  Insecticide ,  Bioassay ,  Galleria mellonella