Controllable synthesis of novel zinc molybdate rod-like nanostructures via simple surfactant-free precipitation route

•ZnMoO4 rod-like nanostructures have been synthesized by precipitation method.•Choosing Zn(sal)2 as novel source of Zn precursor.•Rod-like nanostructures were synthesized without any surfactant.•Optimum condition for preparation rod-like nanostructures of ZnMoO4 investigated.

Zinc molybdate rod-like nanostructures have been successfully synthesized by precipitation method process and using a solid organometallic molecular precursor [bis(salicylaldehydato)zinc(II)], Zn(sal)2, and (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O as starting materials. Some parameters including time effect, temperature effect, and surfactant effect were investigated to reach the optimum conditions. The as synthesized nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. Facile preparation and separation are important features of this route. This work has provided a general, simple, and effective method to control the composition and morphology of zinc molybdate in aqueous solution, which will be important for inorganic synthesis methodology.