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Controlled dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles produced by basic precipitation in solvothermal processes
Daniel Navas1, Andrés Ibañez2, Iván González3
1Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Matemática y del Medio Ambiente, Universidad Tecnológica Metropolitana, Las Palmeras 3360, Ñuñoa, Santiago, 7800003, Chile.
Heliyon
|January 11, 2021
Summary
This study details the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles using precipitation and solvothermal methods. Different procedures yielded distinct ZnO nanostructures, including spherical and ellipsoidal nanoparticles, and hexagonal nanoplates.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Inorganic Chemistry
Background:
- Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a versatile semiconductor with applications in electronics, catalysis, and biomedicine.
- Controlling the morphology and size of ZnO nanostructures is crucial for optimizing their properties.
- Developing efficient synthesis routes for tailored ZnO nanomaterials remains an active area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles with controlled morphologies.
- To investigate the influence of different synthesis procedures on ZnO nanostructure formation.
- To characterize the structural and electronic properties of the synthesized ZnO nanomaterials.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of ZnO via precipitation using zinc sulfate (ZnSO4·7H2O) and potassium carbonate (K2CO3) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
- Hydrozincite intermediate formation and subsequent treatment through drying or multi-stage precipitation.
- Solvothermal treatment in ethylene glycol to obtain nanoparticles.
- Ultrasonic cavitation for disaggregation of micro-structures into nanoplates.
- Characterization using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-Vis absorption, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- Two distinct ZnO nanoparticle morphologies were obtained: spherical (5-10 nm) and ellipsoidal, depending on the precipitation/treatment procedure.
- A separate synthesis route produced ZnO micro-structures that, after ultrasonic cavitation, yielded hexagonal mesoporous ZnO nanoplates with ~0.35 nm nanopores.
- Structural and electronic properties of all synthesized ZnO materials were confirmed through various characterization techniques.
Conclusions:
- The chosen synthesis pathway significantly impacts the morphology and size of the resulting zinc oxide nanostructures.
- Solvothermal treatment is effective in producing ZnO nanoparticles and nanoplates.
- The study demonstrates methods for obtaining diverse ZnO nanostructures suitable for various applications.
