Two-step synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles

A novel two-step procedure has been employed for the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles: (1) mechanochemical synthesis of ZnC₂O₄2H₂O nanoparticles by grinding a mixture of zinc acetate and oxalic acid in an agate mortar at 27 °C and (2) thermal decomposition of ZnC₂O₄2H₂O nanoparticles at 400 °C to form ZnO nanoparticles. XRD and FESEM characterize the final product as highly crystalline ZnO with wurtzite structure and crystallite sizes in the range 5–20 nm. FTIR and EPR are used to identify molecular species during thermal decomposition and impurity/defect status of the ZnO powder respectively.