Characterization of hexagonal ZnO nanostructures prepared by hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) assisted wet chemical method

•Good crystalline ZnO nanostructures, prepared by wet chemical method.•SEM and TEM microscopy, hexagonal ZnO with average diameter of 60 nm.•Enhancement in band gap, ascribed to size effect.•Absorption spectrum, ZnO nanostructures exhibit blue-shift due to size effect.•Dominated near band-edge emission over deep-level emission.

Hexagonal zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were synthesized by wet chemical method using hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) as capping agent. X-ray diffractogram (XRD) confirmed the wurtzite structure of ZnO. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed the shape and size of the ZnO nanostructures. The presence of functional groups was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR). The emission peaks were detected by Photoluminescence spectrum (PL). A blue-shift was observed in the UV–vis absorption spectrum of the ZnO nanostructures. UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectrum studies revealed the band gap enhancement due to size effect.

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