Growth of well-defined ZnO microparticles with additives from aqueous solution

By heating Zn(OH)2 precursor in aqueous solution to reflux temperature (101 °C), ZnO microparticles with a diversity of well-defined morphologies, including rod-like, nut-like, and rice-like samples, have been successfully synthesized. The shape of the crystallite depends critically on the additive added in the reaction solution. To further understand the effect of the additive on the formation process of ZnO crystallite, scanning electron microscopy analyses of the solid product and concentration measurements of zinc ion remaining in the solution have been made at regular intervals throughout the reaction with and without the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and triethanolamine (TEA). Results show that SDS and TEA added in the solution remarkably lower the formation rate of ZnO crystallite.