Synthesis of ZnO nanoflowers by solution plasma

We synthesized ZnO nanoflowers using a solution plasma. We examined the effects of the applied voltage and the concentration of the electrolyte on the morphology of the products. In the experiments, the zinc wire (cathode) was immersed in an electrolysis solution of K2CO3 (concentration: 0.01–5.00 M) and was electrically melted by a glow discharge at different voltages ranging from 42 to 200 V. The results revealed that the products were nanoflowers having many nanorods (size: <100 nm). The ZnO nanoflowers had a wurtzite structure with the [0 0 0 1] orientation in the growth direction. The product morphology changed with a change in the concentration of the electrolyte, C, and the applied voltage, V; that is, nanoflowers were generated under the limited conditions of (C, V) = (1.0 M, 66 V), (0.5 M, 80 V), and (0.1 M, 105 V).

► We synthesized ZnO nanoflowers using a solution plasma.
► We examined the effects of the voltage and solution concentration on the products.
► Product morphology changed with a change in the solution concentration and voltage.
► Nanoflowers exhibited a [0 0 0 1] orientation in the growth direction.
► The synthesis route was explained by the precipitation of the [Zn(OH)4]2− ions.