Control of the particle size and purity of nano zinc oxide

Abstract

Effects of template, mechanical mixing and/or ultrasound mixing on the size of the ZnO crystals obtained by precipitation at 30 °C from aqueous zinc chloride and potassium hydroxide solutions were investigated by 2k factorial design. Precipitation method is employed to synthesize nano zinc oxide particles. Monodisperse nano ZnO having 29 nm particle size was produced by adding triethyl amine and applying simultaneously mechanical and ultrasound mixing. The surface area and the density of the powder were 21 m2/g and 4.8 g/cm3. It contains 5.2% impurities present as CO3-2 and bound OH- groups. Volumetric resistivity was found as 1.3 × 107ohm cm. Absorption spectrum of the powder showed absorption peak at 353 nm. The room temperature fluorescence spectrum of the powder revealed a strong and sharp UV emission band at 391 nm due to free exciton or bound exciton of ZnO and a weak and broad violet emission band at 405 nm due to zinc vacancies.