MICROWAVE HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ZnO NANOSHEETS

ZnO nanosheets with hexagonal wurtzite structure were successfully synthesized by a microwave assisted hydrothermal process using mild conditions and zinc acetate as a precursor. The obtained powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction, environmental scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transmission infrared and room temperature photoluminescence. The size of as-synthesized ZnO nanosheets depends on the precursor concentration and the average diameter ranged between 50 and 600 nm with a thickness in the range of 8-38 nm. The product shows a strong UV emission at 397 nm and a visible blue emission centered at 466 nm.