Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) are toxic organic/metal oxide composite particles that have been discovered to form from substituted benzenes chemisorbed to metal oxides. Here, we perform photoelectron spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, and low energy electron diffraction of phenol chemisorbed to ZnO(1 0 1 0) and (0 0 0 1)-Zn to observe electronic structure changes and charge transfer as a function adsorption temperature. We show direct evidence of charge transfer from the ZnO surfaces to the phenol. This evidence can help gain a better understanding of EPFRs and be used to develop possible future remediation strategies. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.