A simple method for preparation of micro-sized ZnO flakes

In this paper, ZnO flakes were synthesized by calcinations of the precursor of Zn(OH)(2). The reactant Zn(OH)(2) was also obtained by the precipitation method via the reaction between zinc sulfate (ZnSO4) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in aqueous solutions with appropriate ratio. The precursor precipitates of ZnO were subjected to thermal calcinations, which yielded the ZnO flakes. The synthesized ZnO flakes were characterized by X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. XRD analysis revealed the broad pattern for crystal structure of ZnO flakes. The results show that as, prepared ZnO flakes have a uniform structure with high purity. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.