Conventional and microwave-assisted synthesis of ZnO nanorods and effects of PEG400 as a surfactant on the morphology

Conventional and microwave-assisted synthesis of ZnO nanorods have been performed with and without using PEG400. ZnO nanorods were synthesized with 50–250 nm of diameter which depends on the used surfactant and methods. Surfactant effects of PEG400 on the size and morphology of ZnO nanorods were investigated. The microwave method was compared to the conventional heating method. Morphologies were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).