Surface Modification of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Using Polyethylene Glycol under Microwave Radiation

Abstract:

This study investigated the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG), with high molecular weight of 1500 and 4000, on the formation of zinc oxide nanostructures synthesized by microwave radiation. Microwave heating was carried out at 2.45 GHz at 480 and 640 watts with 5s/15s on/off step time. The precursors used were Zn(NO₃)₂.6H₂O, NaOH and PEG. Microwave radiation generates heat to activate the formation of ZnO nanoparticles where the morphology can be controlled by the addition of PEG, time and heating power. The formation of wurtzite structure of ZnO was confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Morphology was investigated by a scanning electron microscope. PEG acted as a structure-directing agent or chelating agent resulting in the formation of rod-like and plate-like crystals. The average size of ZnO nanocrystals increased with increasing microwave power.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 659)
• Pages: 609-614
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.659.609
• Online since: August 2015
• Authors: Pat Sooksaen*, Anutra Keawpimol, Piyavan Deeniam, Panumart Boonkum
• Keywords: Microwave, Morphology, Nanostructure, Polyethylene Glycol, Zinc Oxide

References

[1] M.G. Ma, Y.J. Zhu, G.F. Cheng, Y.H. Huang, Microwave synthesis and characterization of ZnO with various morphologies, Materials Letters, 62 (2008), 507–510.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2007.05.072

[2] T. Krishnakumar, R. Jayaprakash, N. Pinna, V.N. Singh, B.R. Mehta, A.R. Phani, Microwave-assisted synthesis and characterization of flower shaped zinc oxide nanostructures, Materials Letters, 63 (2009), 242–245.

DOI: 10.1016/j.matlet.2008.10.008

[3] Z. Zhu, D. Yang, H. Liu, Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO rod-assembled microspheres and their photocatalytic performances, Advanced Powder Technology, 22 (2011), 493–497.

DOI: 10.1016/j.apt.2010.07.002

[4] R. Al-Gaashani, S. Radiman, N. Tabet, A. Razak Daud, Effect of microwave power on the morphology and optical property of zinc oxide nano-structures prepared via a microwave-assisted aqueous solution method, Materials Chemistry and Physics, 125 (2011).

DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2010.09.038

[5] T. Thongtem, A. Phuruangrat, S. Thongtem, Characterization of nanostructured ZnO produced by microwave irradiation, Ceramics International, 36 (2010), 257–262.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2009.07.027

[6] Y. Ni, S. Yang, J. Hong, P. Zhen, Y. Zhou, D. Chu, Microwave-assisted preparation, characterization and properties of columnar hexagonal-shaped ZnO microcrystals, Scripta Materialia, 59 (2008), 127–130.

DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2008.02.044

[7] S.Y. Kuo, W.C. Chen, F.I. Lai, C.P. Cheng, H. Kuo, S.C. Wang, W.F. Hsieh, Effects of doping concentration and annealing temperature on properties of highly-oriented Al-doped ZnO films, Journal of Crystal Growth, 287 (2006), 78-84.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2005.10.047

[8] J. Huang, C, Xia, L. Cao, X. Zeng, Facile microwave hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide one-dimensional nanostructure with three-dimensional morphology, Materials Science and Engineering,. 150(3) (2008), 187-193.

DOI: 10.1016/j.mseb.2008.05.014

[9] J. Gupta, K.C. Barick, D. Bahadur, Defect mediated photocatalytic activity in shape-controlled ZnO nanostructures, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 509(23) (2011), 6725-6730.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2011.03.157