1：Experimental Design and Method Selection:

The study involved synthesizing ZnO-based materials using cork as a template. The process included pyrolysis of cork powder to convert it into inorganic carbon, followed by infiltration using an aerosol of zinc-containing solutions (zinc acetate or nitrate in methanol), and calcination at various temperatures (350-700 °C) to form ZnO. Doped samples with Ag and Al were also prepared. The methodology aimed to preserve the 3D porous structure of cork and tailor material properties for specific applications.

2：Sample Selection and Data Sources:

Waste cork powder with a particle size of 200-400 μm was used, supplied by Amorim Cork Composite. The powder was pyrolysed at 900 °C under nitrogen flow. Infiltration was performed using 0.025 g of pyrolysed cork powder per experiment, with zinc precursors in methanol solution.

3：025 g of pyrolysed cork powder per experiment, with zinc precursors in methanol solution. List of Experimental Equipment and Materials:

3. List of Experimental Equipment and Materials: Equipment included a Thermal Technology 1000-3650-FP20 Vacuum Furnace for pyrolysis, an Asiamist 1308 ultrasonic humidifier for aerosol generation, a modified rotary evaporator for infiltration, and furnaces for calcination. Materials included zinc acetate dihydrate, zinc nitrate nonahydrate, silver nitrate, aluminium nitrate nonahydrate, methanol, methylene blue dye, and various chemicals for characterization.

4：Experimental Procedures and Operational Workflow:

Pyrolysis was done with a specific heating cycle. Infiltration involved generating an aerosol and transporting it with nitrogen gas into the flask containing pyrolysed cork, with rotation for contact. After infiltration, powders were dried at 60 °C and calcined at specified temperatures and times. Characterization included XRD, SEM, TGA/DTA, FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis spectroscopy, BET surface area analysis, and photocatalytic activity tests using a Xe lamp.

5：Data Analysis Methods:

XRD for phase identification and crystallite size calculation using FWHM, SEM for morphology, TGA/DTA for thermal behavior, FTIR and Raman for functional groups and carbon presence, UV-Vis for optical properties and band gap calculation using Kubelka-Munk function, BET for surface area, and UV-Vis spectroscopy for monitoring methylene blue degradation to assess photocatalytic activity.