Fabrication of Agglomerate-free ZnO Nanoparticles by Electrospraying and Subsequent Two-step Heat Treatment

Agglomerate-free ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by electrospraying and subsequent two-step heat treatment, providing a novel way for the fabrication of agglomeratea2free oxide nanopowders. Using Zn(CH3COO)2 ¤2H2O ethanol solution added proper polyvinylpyrrolidone as electrosprayed liquid, a cone-jet was successfully formed that produced symmetrical micron droplets. The electrosprayed products were dried then. Agglomerate-free ZnO nanoparticles were derived after annealing the dried electrosprayed products in nitrogen at 600 or 1h followed by annealing in air at 400 or 1h. Results of SEM and XRD tests demonstrate that the as-prepared ZnO nanoparticles are well developed with a uniform size, and a hexagonal wurtzite structure.