The Rapid Preparation of ZnO Nanorods via Low-Temperatures Solochemical Method

Substantial efforts have been devoted towards researching routes that provide an appropriate and simple approach for the production of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocrystals. Here, a rapid and inexpensive solochemical method was employed to synthesize ZnO nanocrystals through the decomposition of zinc chloride (ZnCl₂ and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 50 °C, 70 °C and 90 °C. The powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Raman spectroscopy. The products showed high purity, nearly uniform rod-like morphology and nanometric crystallite sizes. With increasing reaction temperature, the crystallites become smaller and rounded. The Raman results reveal correlations between Raman line widths and intensities with ZnO nanorods dimensions. More specifically, the line widths are large and therefore less intense as the nanorod becomes smaller.