Size-controlled sub-micrometer spheroidized ZnO particles synthesis via plasma-induced processing in microdroplets

•Plasma-induced processing in microdroplets is presented.•Sub-micrometer ZnO spherodized particles are synthesized.•The particle diameter is controlled by adjusting zinc acetate solution concentration.•Composite structure of crystalline nanoparticles and amorphous matrix is observed.

This report describes the synthesis of ZnO spheroidized particles (SPs) of sub-micrometer diameter via plasma-induced processing in microdroplets. For ZnO-SPs synthesis, microdroplets of zinc acetate (Zn(Ac)2) solution are exposed to atmospheric-pressure non-equilibrium plasma. The synthesized SP diameter is controlled by adjusting the solution concentration investigated in the range of 0.5–2 mM. The SPs show a unique ZnO nanocomposite structure of crystalline wurtzite nanoparticles and an amorphous matrix. The results of analyses underscore that one SP is formed from one microdroplet.

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