Zinc-Acetate-Amine Complexes as Precursors to ZnO and the Effect of the Amine on Nanoparticle Morphology, Size, and Photocatalytic Activity.

Zinc oxide is an environmentally friendly and readily synthesized semiconductor with many industrial applications. ZnO powders were prepared by alkali precipitation using different [Zn(acetate)(amine)] compounds to alter the particle size and aspect ratio. Slow precipitations from 95 °C solutions produced micron-scale particles with morphologies of hexagonal plates, rods, and needles, depending on the precursor used.