ZrO₂ hollow microspheres, with thick shell and “network-wall”, were successfully synthesized by a facile and mild water-bath method using the rape pollen as a bio-template. The scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR, N2 adsorption-desorption analyses and thermal analysis were used for the structural characterizations of the products and the precursors. The adsorption performance of products was researched preliminarily. The results show that the shell of ZrO₂ hollow microspheres consists of the nanoparticles to cause the formation of the mesoporous structure. Two kinds of ZrO₂ hollow microspheres with different shell thickness and surface morphology can be achieved when the ways for treatment pollen is different. The “network-wall” ZrO₂ hollow microspheres have a unique morphological, higher surface area and stronger adsorption capability for eriochrome black T. We also discussed the formation mechanism of the ZrO₂ hollow microspheres by inducing of pollen.

Key words: ZrO₂ microspheres, hollow structure, pollen, template, adsorption