Microwave-assisted synthesis of narcis-like zinc oxide nanostructures

Through a fast, simple, low cost, surfactant-free and convenient microwave-assisted route, narcis-like ZnO nanostructures (10–15 nm size) with flower diameters in the range of 1–2.5 μm were synthesized. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and room temperature photoluminescence (PL) measurements were used to characterize the produced ZnO nanostructures. The principle raw materials – ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) and zinc acetate dihydrate [Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O] – were both inexpensive. The method was fast, simple and surfactant-free capable of producing larger quantities of zinc oxide nanostructures. Formation mechanism of narcis ZnO nanostructures has been studied due to the self-assembly of small form ZnO clusters in microwave treated precursor.