Solvent-less synthesis of zinc oxide nanostructures from Zn(salen) as precursor and their optical properties

► Precursor Zn(salen) was synthesized by a solid-solid reaction, and then ZnO nanoparticles were obtaioned by thermal treatment of Zn(salen) at 500 °C for 5 h. ► Room temperature photo-luminescence spectrum of ZnO nanostructures are dominated by green emission attributed to oxygen vacancy related donor-acceptor transition.