Size control mechanism of ZnO nanoparticles obtained in microwave solvothermal synthesis

The aim of the paper is to explain the mechanism of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle (NP) size control, which enables the size control of ZnO NPs obtained in microwave solvothermal synthesis (MSS) within the size range between circa 20 and 120 nm through the control of water content in the solution of zinc acetate in ethylene glycol. Heavy water was used in the tests. The mechanism of ZnO NPs size control was explained, discussed and experimentally verified. The discovery and investigation of this mechanism was possible by tracking the fate of water molecules during the whole synthesis process. All the synthesis products were identified. It was indicated that the MSS of ZnO NPs proceeded through the formation and conversion of intermediates such as Zn 5 (OH) 8 (CH 3 COO)2 · x H 2 O. Esters and H 2 O were the by-products of the MSS reaction of ZnO NPs. We justified that the esterification reaction is the decisive stage th...

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