Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles

M. Cruz, M.S. Castro, M.M. Reboredo

INTEMA (Univ. Nacional del Mar del Plata - CONICET)
Juan B. Justo 4302 - (7600) Mar del Plata Argentina
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most promising semiconductor materials since it has
numerous applications, especially in the field of optoelectronics, because of its excellent optic
and ultraviolet properties, high electric conductivity and good thermal and chemical stability.1
Although several methods of synthesis were used for ZnO preparation, it is still difficult to
control the size and shape in a simple way. Among them, sonochemical synthesis has become
a routine method for preparing a wide variety of nanostructured materials. Different properties
of the ZnO would be controlled varying factors like sonication out power, chemical species or
pH value in the reaction mixture.2
ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by addition of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) aqueous
solution to zinc sulphate (ZnSO4.7H2O) and zinc acetate solutions (Zn(C2H4O2).2H2O),
respectively. Different pH values (9 - 12.5) were used. The sonication output powder was of
50%. The samples were analyzed by using XRD (Philips PW 1830/40, with CuK radiation)
and FTIR (Nicolet 6700, Thermo Scientific) methods, and the morphology and size of
particles were characterized by SEM (JEOL 6460LV).
The results from XRD and FTIR showed a higher amount of impurities as pH values
decreased, for both set of powders. In the case of the synthesis from sulphate, impurities like
sodium bisulphate (NaHSO4), sodium sulphate (Na2SO4), sodium sulphite (Na2SO3), and zinc
hydroxide (Zn(OH)2) were observed. In a similar way, the samples made from zinc acetate,
contained traces of zinc hydroxy acetates (Zn5(OH)8(CH3CO2)2 and Zn3(OH)4(CH3CO2)2) and
zinc hydroxide (Zn(OH)2). The latter was mainly present in the samples of high pH values,
and its amount decreased with increasing sonication time.
SEM images showed that ZnO nanoparticles were obtained. Powders from zinc sulphate
had nanosheet morphologies at any pH value. While powders synthesized from zinc acetate
and with 15 minutes of sonication, presented nanosheet, nanorod, and small nanorod
morphologies at 9, 11.1 and 12.6 pH values, respectively. However, the samples of high pH
values sonicated during more time, showed nanosheet morphologies. It indicates that is more
difficult to control the ZnO morphology with zinc acetate as starting material.
Keywords: sonochemical method , ZnO, nanosheet, nanorod.
References
[1]L. Wu, Y. Wu, W. L, Preparation of ZnO nanorods and optical characterizations, Physica
E 28 (2005) 76-82.
[2] Q. Xiao, S. Huang, J. Zhang, J. Zhang, C. Xiao, X. Tan, Sonochemical sntesis of ZnO
nanosheet, Journal of Alloys and Compounds 459 (2008) L18-L22.
* marilicruz@hotmail.com