Synthesis and Analysis of Zn Nanopowders by Wire Explosion In Liquids

Abstract

Zn wires have been electrically exploded in methanol or distilled water using the pulsed power technologies. The nanopowders produced by the explosions have been observed by using SEM and TEM, and analyzed its phase by using EDS and XRD. The nanopowders produced in distilled water showed ZnO phase only. On the other hands, the nanopowder produced in methanol showed mixed phases with Zn and ZnO. The HR-TEM images of the nanopowders produced in methanol showed that the some particles have been coated with carbon like materials. It is considered that the carbon coatings could be depended on the positions of the particles during the plasma state formed by explosion.