Low temperature synthesis of fluorescent ZnO nanoparticles

Fluorescent ZnO nanoparticles have been prepared by mixing aqueous solutions of zinc nitrate and ammonium carbonate in the presence of a non-ionic surfactant, Tween-80. Increased concentrations of the surfactant were found to affect both the morphology and purity of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles. XRD, SEM, FTIR, TGA and Confocal laser scanning microscopy were employed to characterize the as-prepared samples. ZnO nanoparticles ranging in particle size from 11 to 15 nm were formed at the reaction temperature of 70–80 °C. The results of FTIR and TGA analysis indicate the self assembly of Tween molecules on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles. A bright emission in the visible region from the as-prepared ZnO nanoparticles was recorded using confocal laser scanning microscopy. This property of the as-prepared nanoparticles may find potential application in bio-imaging.