Effect of polymers (PEG and PVP) on sol-gel synthesis of microsized zinc oxide

Abstract

Fibers irregular and seed-like microcrystalline ZnO were synthesized by using a cost-effective and low temperature aqueous sol-gel method. Various polymers, namely, polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), were used as structure directing agents. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The X-ray diffraction pattern revealed the formation of phase-pure ZnO micropowders. It is observed that the polymers play an important role in modifying the surface morphology and the size of the crystallites. A compact granular morphology is observed for the ZnO samples without polymer. The samples exhibit microparticles of size 100 nm for PVP and for PEG-mediated growth, whereas microporous corrugated morphology is observed for added PEG-mediated micropowder. FTIR study is used to confirm the structural modifications occurring in the polymers. © 2013 Thilagavathi Thirugnanam.