Control of ZnO morphology via a simple solution route

By decomposing Zn(OH)(4)(2-) or Zn(NH3)(4)(2+) precursor in various solvents at suitable reaction conditions, zinc oxide with a diversity of well-defined morphologies was synthesized. Flowerlike ZnO built up by nanorods was obtained by treating Zn(OH)(4)(2-) precursor in water at 180 degreesC for 13 h. Whereas a replacement of the solvent by n-heptane yields snow flakelike ZnO. The prismlike and the prickly spherelike ZnO were also prepared, respectively, by decomposing Zn(NH3)(4)(2+) or Zn(OH)(4)(2-) in ethanol at 100 degreesC for 13 h. The rodlike ZnO was produced at 180 degreesC under the same condition for preparing prickly spherelike product. Besides these typical samples, ZnO in other morphologies was studied manipulatively by changing the reaction conditions of our solution route. Systematical condition-dependent experiments were compared comprehensively to reveal the formation and detailed growth process of ZnO nanosized crystallites and aggregates. The experimental results studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy indicated that the solvent, precursor, solution basicity, and reaction temperature as well as time are responsible for the variations of ZnO morphologies.