Surfactant mediated synthesis and characterization of Zinc Oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

ZnO nanoparticles were prepared synthesized by using wet chemical route directly from an aqueous solution of zinc acetate dehydrate and in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium hydroxide. ZnO is an interesting semiconductor material due to its application on solar cells, gas sensors, ceramics, catalysts, cosmetics. The as-synthesized Zn(OH)2powders were calcined at various temperatures of 500„aC, 650„aC, 800oC and 1000„aC. The materials prepared were characterized by DSC-TGA, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-visible spectroscopy. From the thermal studies the mass loss was found to be only 19%. Results show that the calcinations temperature significantly affected the crystalline nature, and optical properties of the processed ZnO nanoparticles. The XRD spectra indicate that the ZnO crystal has a hexagonal wurtzite structure. Zinc oxide showed excellent UV absorption and transparency in the visible region.