Oversized hexagonal nanosheets of layered zinc hydroxysulfates via the hexamethylenetetramine-mediated solution route

Well-defined hexagonal nanosheets of layered zinc hydroxysulfate (Zn(OH)2)3(ZnSO4)(H2O)5 with the side length of 1–20 μm and thickness of ∼50 nm has been synthesized by the thermal treatment of ZnSO4–hexamethylenetetramine precursor in water–ethanol mixed solvent at 75 °C. The sheet-like morphology was found to closely depend upon the experimental conditions, such as the solvent and the precursor composition. In particular, the products can be easily converted to ZnO nanosheets upon exposing to the irradiation of electron beam.