Synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles by modified polyol method

Modified polyol preparation of nanoscale zinc oxide (ZnO) was carried out by refluxing zinc precursor in ethylene glycol (EG), diethylene glycol (DEG) and tetraethylene glycol (TTEG) at 160 °C. Particle sizes of synthesized ZnO nanoparticles are in correlation with the glycol chain length. With increased glycol chain length the average particle size of ZnO is also increased. The sizes of ZnO particles determined from a transmission electron microscope were 19.62 nm, 38.84 nm and 68.57 nm for ZnO/EG, ZnO/DET and ZnO/TTEG, respectively. The shape of the ZnO nanoparticles changed from spherical (ZnO/EG), spherical and rod (ZnO/DEG) to ‘diamond’ like structure (ZnO/TTEG) as observed in a field emission scanning electron microscope.

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► New approach of synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles using polyols without water.
► Polyol serves as a solvent and stabilizing agent.
► The method is a simple, efficient and environment friendly approach.
► Different shape and size of ZnO obtained.