Shape and size-controlled fabrication of ZnO nanostructures using novel templates

A simple wet chemical method was developed to control the size and shape of the Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures in the presence of new, efficient, and low-cost templates like ameline, sorbitol, and polyethylene glycol (PEG, M_w = 200) at low temperature within a few minutes. Nanorods and nanoparticles have been achieved through applying these templates and tuning other growth parameters. The products were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of the growth parameters such as template, Zn²⁺ source/Template ratio, pH, reaction time, and temperature on the growth and morphology of ZnO nanostructures have been investigated in detail. The results revealed that template has an important effect on the morphology and size of the ZnO nanostructures. Also, reaction time is believed to be a key factor because it can change the quality of nano ZnO produced by this method. By tuning these parameters nanorods, nano particle/rod, nano porous structures have been achieved.