In this study, a Zn-Pr antibacterial white carbon black was synthesised via a sol-gel method. The Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology was applied to optimise the antibacterial product. Statistical analysis revealed that the particle size of the Zn-Pr antibacterial white carbon black was significantly affected by reaction time, reaction temperature and Zn ion concentration. The optimum reaction time, temperature and Zn ion concentration were 1.03 h, 88.64 °C and 0.05 mol L −1 , respectively. The product was characterised through X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis. The antibacterial properties of the Zn-Pr antibacterial white carbon black on Escherichia coli. were also investigated. The bacteriostatic rate of Zn-Pr antibacterial white carbon black was 95.24%.