Novel precursor-assisted synthesis and characterization of zinc oxide nanoparticles/nanofibers

In this investigation, different morphologies of ZnO nanostructures including nanoparticles have been produced by solid-state thermal decomposition of bis(acetylacetonato)zinc(II) nanostructures obtained by the sublimation of bis(acetylacetonato)zinc(II) powder. The sublimation process of the Zn(acac)2 powder was carried out in the range of 110–140 °C. The as-synthesized products were analyzed by SEM, TEM, XRD, and EDS. The SEM images showed that the sublimation process in the range of 110–120 °C and 130–140 °C led to the production of Zn(acac)2 nanofibers and nanorods, respectively. On the other hand, nanofibers and nanoparticles of ZnO were obtained by solid-state thermal decomposition of the as-synthesized Zn(acac)2 nanostructures.

► ZnO nanofibers/nanoparticles were synthesized by a free solvent method.
► Sublimated Zn(acac)2 nano/microfibers were used as zinc precursor.
► The effect of sublimation temperature on the morphology of the products was studied.
► Zn(acac)2 and ZnO nanostructures were characterized by SEM, XRD, TEM, and EDS.