Synthesis and characterization of ZnO powders by homogeneous precipitation from different precursors

Abstract

This experimental work reports the results obtained on the effect of two different zinc precursors (zinc nitrate and zinc acetate), using sodium hydroxide as precipitant agent and different parameters on the synthesis of zinc oxide powders, applying the Taguchi method. The zinc oxide powders were synthesized by the homogeneous precipitation technique. All the resultant precipitates in the process were dried and calcined to produce zinc oxide powders. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The characterization results revealed a hexagonal wurtzite structure with an average particular size of 34.4 to 53.5 nanometers. All the synthesized particles presented different sizes with an irregular geometry.