Abstract

The calcination of zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO<inf>3</inf>)<inf>2</inf>6H<inf>2</inf>O) crystals was demonstrated as a facile route for preparing single-phase zinc oxide (ZnO) microclusters composed of pyramids around 15 µm in size. Their antifungal property was tested on mulberry papers made from the woody stem of tube sedge (Lepironia articurata). The papers coated by 2-12 mg/mL of ZnO dispersion exhibited a resistance to Aspergillus Niger when subjected to the fungus for up to 15 days. The inhibition was attributed to the photocatalytic activity of the ZnO microclusters, which is not sensitive to the calcination temperature from 600 to 800 °C. This finding is beneficial for the manufacture of antifungal handicraft products from mulberry papers and of local bulrush basketry from tube sedge.