Preparation of ZnO nanoparticles by laser ablation of dispersed ZnO powder in solution

Abstract

ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by laser ablation of the ZnO powder dispersed in deionized water and surfactant solutions, and characterized using UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometer and Transmission electron microscopy(TEM). ZnO nanoparticles produced show the pure ZnO crystal state without mixed state with Zn(OH)2 or Zn, and have the band gap energy of 3.35 eV, which is comparable to that of bulk ZnO. While ZnO nanoparticles prepared in SDS solution have the average diameter of 28nm with near spherical shape, those prepared in CTAB solution have the average size of 40 nm with mainly rod-like shape. ZnO colloidal solution of CTAB is more stable than that of SDS. These difference according to surfactants can be explained by difference of electrostatic interaction between surface charge of ZnO and surfactant molecules and by solvation effect in solution.