Zinc Oxide Polyscale Designer Particulates and its Applications

Hydrothermal synthesis of selectively doped zinc oxide (ZnO) polyscale designer particulates was carried out at temperatures 150 to 250oC with an autogeneous pressure and experimental duration 12 to 40 hours. ZnO was selectively doped with Cr, Fe, Mn, Cd, Sn, In, Ag, Nd, Mo and W in different concentrations (1 to 5 w%). The molarity of ZnO was varied from 1M to 4 M in the starting material. Caprylic acid and n-butylamine were used as surfactants to modify the surface charge and to control the size, shape and agglomeration of the ZnO particles. NaOH, KOH, HCl, H2SO4 and HNO3 were used as mineralizers in the synthesis experiments. The resultant products were subjected to a systematic characterization using powder XRD, FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, DLS and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Tailoring of the morphology, size and properties could be achieved for these ZnO designer particulates through selective doping, surface modifier and also mineralizer.