Shape Control in Zinc Oxide nanostructures by Precipitation Method

Abstract

Zinc oxide nanostructures are of eminent importance for the field of chemical sensors, field effect transistors, transparent conductors and ultraviolet light emitting devices. Work in this project is focused on the synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles and nanorods of zinc oxide (ZnO) by precipitation method. The morphology of the samples can be controlled by adjusting the amount of NaOH and citric acid in the NaOH or citric acid/water system. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals the single phase of ZnO hexagonal wurtzite structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to classify functional groups and types of chemical bonds of the samples. The morphology of the samples was investigated by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). UV-vis spectroscopy was also performed to study the optical properties of ZnO nanostructures. The estimated band gap of ZnO samples was in the range of 3.68-3.71 eV.