Synthesis of cup-like ZnO microcrystals via a CTAB-assisted hydrothermal route

Cup-like ZnO microcrystals were successfully synthesized by using a CTAB-assisted hydrothermal route. Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O was used as the only precursor to generate cup-like ZnO microcrystals. The morphologies and structures of the samples were characterized by XRD and SEM. The XRD pattern shows that the cup-like ZnO microcrystals are hexagonal. The SEM investigation reveals that the as-prepared ZnO product has cup-like morphology. CTAB was found to play a crucial role in determining the cup-like morphologies. A possible formation process of the cup-like ZnO microcrystals was proposed. Optical property of the product was also investigated by fluorophotometer at room temperature.