Synthesis and characterization of a narrow size distribution of zinc oxide nanoparticles

Abstract

A Khorsand Zak1,2, R Razali1, WH Abd Majid1, Majid Darroudi21Low Dimensional Material Research Center, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, IranAbstract: Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized via a solvothermal method in triethanolamine (TEA) media. TEA was utilized as a polymer agent to terminate the growth of ZnO-NPs. The ZnO-NPs were characterized by a number of techniques, including X-ray diffraction analysis, transition electron microscopy, and field emission electron microscopy. The ZnO-NPs prepared by the solvothermal process at 150°C for 18 hours exhibited a hexagonal (wurtzite) structure, with a crystalline size of 33 ± 2 nm, and particle size of 48 ± 7 nm. The results confirm that TEA is a suitable polymer agent to prepare homogenous ZnO-NPs.Keywords: zinc oxide, solvothermal, nanoparticles, nanopowders