Solvothermal synthesis of nanorods of ZnO, N-doped ZnO and CdO

ZnO nanorods with diameters in the 80–800 nm range are readily synthesized by the reaction of zinc acetate, ethanol and ethylenediamine under solvothermal conditions. The best products are obtained at 330 °C with a slow heating rate. Addition of the surfactant Triton®-X 100 gave nanorods of uniform (300 nm) diameter. By adding a small amount of liquid NH3 to the reaction mixture, N-doped ZnO nanorods, with distinct spectroscopic features are obtained. CdO nanorods of 80 nm diameter have been prepared under solvothermal conditions using a mixture of cadmium cupferronate, ethylenediamine and ethanol at 330 °C. Similarly, Zn1−xCdxO nanorods of a 70 nm diameter are obtained under solvothermal conditions starting with a mixture of zinc acetate, cadmium cupferronate, ethanol and ethylenediamine.