Structural characterization of self-assembled ZnO nanoparticles obtained by the sol–gel method from Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O

• Published in: Nanotechnology 2011-09, Vol.22 (39), p.395603-395603
• Main Authors: Luković Golić, D, Branković, G, Počuča Nešić, M, Vojisavljević, K, Rečnik, A, Daneu, N, Bernik, S, Šćepanović, M, Poleti, D, Branković, Z
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0957-4484; 1361-6528
• DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/39/395603

Zinc oxide nanopowders were synthesized by the sol-gel method from an ethanol solution of zinc acetate dihydrate. Detailed structural and microstructural investigations were carried out using x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, as well as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The intermediate compound of the reaction was layered zinc hydroxide acetate that further transforms into hexagonally shaped ZnO crystalline nanoplates (d(m) = 4 nm), which aggregate into larger spherical particles. According to the TEM analysis the ZnO nanoparticles were self-assembled into larger particles with the same orientation, i.e. aligned lattice planes of the particles. A further solvothermal treatment resulted in hexagonal, prismatic ZnO mesocrystals.