Synthesis of Needle-like and Flower-like Zinc Oxide by a Simple Surfactant-free Solution Method

Single-crystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) with needle-like and flower-like morphologies has been successfully synthesized by decomposition of Zn(OH)42- in aqueous solution at 90 °C. The reaction temperature, reaction time, and zinc source are important factors in determining the phase and morphology of ZnO. When using zinc acetate as the zinc source at 90 °C for 90 min in an oil bath, ZnO with the needle-like morphology was obtained. Whereas using zinc nitrate as the zinc source, ZnO with flower-like morphology was produced.