Pyramid-like ZnO nanocrystals prepared by using simple co-precipitation method

In this work, we investigated the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles by simple co-precipitation method via new precursors. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized using zinc nitrate and potassium carbonate precursors. Their physicochemical properties were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD pattern showed that the zinc oxide nanoparticles exhibited hexagonal wurtzite structure. SEM images showed multiple layered structure of pyramid-like shaped of ZnO nanoparticles after calcination. The size of ZnO nanoparticles were measured about 20 nm for as-synthesized samples and for annealed one the particles were measured in the range size of 50-100 nm with less agglomeration, as estimated by XRD technique and direct HRTEM observation. Optical results showed the small bandgap energy of 3.22 ev and 3.18 ev for as-prepared annealed one respectively. The sharp peaks in FTIR spectrum determined the of ZnO stretching nanoparticles.