DC-field-induced synthesis of ZnO nanowhiskers in water-in-oil microemulsions

ZnO nanowhiskers were successfully fabricated using DC-field induced water-in-oil microemulsions method. Phase structure, morphology and microstructure of the product were investigated by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Parameters in preparation process such as electric field intensity and surfactant were discussed and the product formation mechanism was studied. XRD and TEM results showed that the obtained ZnO particle was hexagonal wurtzite-type with 1-3 nm in diameter and 20-70 nm in length, and morphology of the particles was shown to be correlated not only with the electric field intensity but also with the surfactant. There was a threshold when the electric field intensity was 80 V/mm. The morphology of the particles was basically spherical before the threshold, while L/D increased with the raise of electric field intensity. ZnO nanowhiskers were obtained under mixed surfactants but spherical particles were got with a single surfactant.