Preparation of Modified ZnO Nanoparticles by Sol-Gel Process and Their Characterization

Abstract

A novel sol gel method was utilised to synthesis ZnO powder as pure and in the presence of different surfactants CTAB ( N–Cetyl–N,N,N,trimethyl ammonium bromide), CPCl (Cetyl pyridinium chloride) and Silica gel in basic medium by adjusting the pH around 9. ZnO powder were prepared from hydrated Zinc acetate precursor ((C2H3O2) 2Zn.2H2O) and ethyl alcohol solvent. The synthesized powder was calcined at 4000 C for 1 hour. Structural, morphological, thermal and chemical properties of synthesized ZnO powder were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier transform infra red microscopy (FTIR) respectively. Our finding shows the formation of pure phase of ZnO in basic medium in presence of different surfactants. The calculated particle size of ZnO powder was in the range of 3 to 15 nm. In addition we also made an attempt to dope the Di and Ag on ZnO. Structural characterization shows the formation of pure phase of ZnO up to 1% Di. However at higher concentration (3%and 5%) we found mixed phase. On the other hand in case of Ag doping the system has mixed phase which indicates that Ag remains unreacted in the reaction.