Synthesis of Zinc/Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles by Electric Discharge Method in Distilled-Water and Argon-Gas Environments

Abstract

Zinc/zinc oxide nanoparticles are used in an increasing number of medical and industrial applications due to their attractive physical, chemical and antibacterial properties. Therefore, achieving a simple and beneficial way to produce them is an important aspect. In this study, zinc/zinc oxide nanopowders were synthesized by fast electric discharges between two electrodes of (a) a spark device in distilled water medium and (b) a handmade high-voltage ignition machine in argon gas medium. The resulting powders were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and field emission electron microscopy (FESEM). Using the spark device in distilled water, a mixture of zinc crystals with an average diameter of 11.28 nm and zinc oxide crystals with an average diameter of 22.22 nm was produced. However, using the handmade device in argon, zinc crystals with an average diameter of 7.5 nm were obtained and subsequently oxidized due to their extremely high activity. The production rate of the high voltage discharge method was lower than other conventional methods. On the other hand, its ability in reducing the size and increasing the particle activity was higher than other methods.

Keywords

• zinc
• zinc oxide
• nanoparticles
• electric arc discharge
• spark.