Synthesis, structural, optical and thermal analysis of nanostructured ZnO

Nanostructured zinc oxide (ZnO) has been synthesized via a one step solution based wet chemical method. Zinc acetate dihydrate (Zn (CH3COO)(2) . 2H(2)O) was used as the precursor and its growth conditions were optimized for the formation of nanostructured ZnO. The powder pattern X-ray diffraction data of synthesized ZnO confirm particles of radius of about 20 nm with wurtzite hexagonal phase and preferential growth along (101) plane. Transmission electron microscopic results support the particle size value obtained through X-ray diffraction study. Clusters of nanostructured ZnO in agglomerated form are observed in scanning electron micrographs. The absorption bands observed at 509 cm(-1) and 406 cm(-1) in infrared spectra are assigned to upsilon(M-O) of the synthesized compound. The absorption spectrum shows a narrow peak near the band edge in the exciton absorption region at about 371 nm and a blue shift is observed with respect to the bulk exciton absorption, 375 nm. Thermo-gravimetric analysis indicates weight loss corresponding to the formation of ZnO. The mechanism for the growth of nanostructured ZnO in solution has also been discussed.