Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles: A review

Abstract

Zinc oxide is an inorganic compound and usually appears as a white powder. It also called a multifunctional material because of to its unique physical and chemical properties. Zinc oxide nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a sol-gel method, precipitation method, green leaf extract, and microwave method, wet chemical and hydrothermal method. Different compositions of zinc oxides nano composites were characterized using X-Ray Diffractometer, Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscope, Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer and Photoluminescence Spectrofluorophotometer studies. The X-ray diffraction studies reveals that the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles have wurtzite structure and the particle size varies from 20 to 30 nm. Scanning Electron Microscopic investigation reveals that the surface morphology of ZnO nanoparticle is spherical in hydrothermal process and varies to flower like arrangement in sol-gel process. Crystalline oxide powders, combined with other materials, provide possibilities for obtaining improved chemical, mechanical, optical or electrical properties.