A novel zinc(II) macrocycle-based synthesis of pure ZnO nanoparticles

Dinuclear zinc(II) complex of the 18-membered tetraiminediphenol macrocycle has been synthesized by Schiff base condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol and 1,2-diaminobenzene in the presence of zinc(II) template. The obtained complex has been characterized by the spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry. The complex exhibits high thermal stability and forms ZnO nanoparticles on thermal decomposition. The diffraction peaks in the X-Ray diffraction spectra indicated that the complexes are crystalline. The surface morphology has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis shows the chemical purity and stoichiometry of the ZnO nanoparticles. The BET surface area of ZnO nanoparticles has been found. The transmission electron microscopy result shows spherical shaped ZnO nanoparticles with the size of 20 nm. Quantum confinement effects are clearly revealed in UV–Vis spectroscopy technique.