Nanostructured zinc oxide microparticles with various morphologies

Abstract

In this paper we present a simple two stage preparation method of nanostructured zinc oxide microparticles by using microwave-assisted solvothermal synthesis. Zinc acetate dihydrate and sodium carbonate were used as starting materials, ethyleneglycol (EG), diethyleneglycol (DEG) and demineralised water were used as solvents and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used as a surface stabilising agent. Obtained powders show various morphology which is influenced by the time duration of microwave assisted reaction and particularly by selection of suitable solvent. According to their morphology, prepared particles are categorised as needle-like structure, platelet structures and urchins-like structures and other shapes, which demonstrates a great potential of this synthesis route. Prepared materials were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Ultraviolet-visible diffusion reflectance spectroscopy (UV-VIS-DRS).