Novel synthesis of ZnO using 2D clinostat with enhanced photocatalytic performance

The 2D clinostat provides an efficient and straightforward ground-based facility to simulate near functional weightlessness. Here, a study of ZnO crystal formation on a 2D clinostat utilizing a wet chemical technique at ambient temperature is reported for the first time. It was found out that the ZnO growth under clinostat conditions exhibits higher photocatalytic activity compared to its counterpart growth under normal conditions. The clinostat environment appears to reduce sedimentation of particles in colloidal suspensions, which is greatly affected by gravity, leading to uneven growth in various systems before the emergence of crystal defects. Graphical abstract