Simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis and in situ thermo-Raman spectroscopic investigation of thermal decomposition of zinc acetate dihydrate forming zinc oxide nanoparticles

Hyphenation of thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) and thermo-Raman spectrometer for in situ investigation of thermal decomposition of Zn(CH3COO)2 · 2H2O forming ZnO nanoparticles (diameter ∼50 nm), using oxygen as carrier gas is executed simultaneously. Influence of carrier gas flow rate forming thin films is also investigated. The thermo-Raman spectra recorded at every degree interval could follow the intermediates formed. The thermo-Raman intensity thermograms of the characteristic bands provided information of the decomposition pathway and mechanism, and are supported by complementary characterizations using SEM, TEM, EDS, FT-IR, and XRD.