Comparative Study of Zinc Oxide Nanostructures Synthesized by Oxidization of Zinc Foil and Zinc Powder

Abstract

ZnO is one of the most promising semiconductor material in the UV range due to its wide band gap (3.37 eV) and large exciton binding energy (60 meV). So a study of the nature of oxidation of Zn in order to synthesize ZnO is very essential. Here we have tried to study the oxidation behavior of Zinc foil and Zinc powder by oxidizing them in muffle furnace and then carrying out analysis to know if nanostructure is formed or not using SEM, EDX studies along with XRD and DSC/TG. Nanostructures of ZnO were found to grow only at temperatures above 600oC. The surface of the Zn foil is filled with nanostructures of ZnO like nanowires and nanoribbons whereas these structures are not seen in the case of ZnO powder when both the Zn foil and powder were oxidized in the furnace in air in the temperature range 500-600oC. Some indication of probable formation of nanostructure can be seen in sample oxidized at 800o C.