A Solvothermal Route to ZnO and Mn-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles Using the Cupferron Complex as the Precursor

Abstract

ZnO nanoparticles have been synthesized from the cupferron complex by a solvothermal route in toluene solution. The nanoparticles have been prepared in the presence of various capping agents, of which the best results were obtained with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide, polyethylene glycol, and sodium bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulphosuccinate. The particles obtained with these capping agents have diameters in the 8-14 nm range. The nanoparticles have been characterized by electron microscopy, UV absorption spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy, besides x-ray diffraction. Optical spectra of the small nanoparticles show evidence for quantum confinement. ZnO nanoparticles doped with 5% and 10% Mn could be prepared by the solvothermal route starting with a Zn(1-x)Mnx cupferron complex, and the Mn-doped nanoparticles remain paramagnetic down to 5K.

ZnO and MgxZn1−xO nanocrystals grown by non-hydrolytic route

“…[15,16]. Zinc cupferronate was precipitated by adding 150 ml of 4 mM aqueous cupferron to a vigorously stirred 50 ml solution of 11.2 mM Zn(CH 3 CH 2 OO) 2 [17].…”

Recent progress in the synthesis of inorganic nanoparticles

“…NPs of ZnO are usually prepared by a variety of physical and chemical methods. 44,195,337,338 Precipitation through acid- catalyzed esterification of zinc acetate dihydrate with 1-pentanol at 130 °C yields ZnO NPs. 339 The sol-gel process has also been employed by several workers to prepare ZnO NPs.…”

Synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials

“…42 ZnO nanocrystals have been synthesized from the cupferron complex by a solvothermal route in toluene solution. 43 c-Fe 2 O 3 and CoFe 2 O 4 nanocrystals can also be produced by the decomposition of the cupferron complexes. 44 Metallic ReO 3 nanocrystals with diameters in the 8.5-32.5 nm range are obtained by the solvothermal decomposition of the Re 2 O 7 -dioxane complex under solvothermal conditions.…”