Production of ZnO and Zn-ZnO nanopowders using evaporation by a pulsed electron beam in low-pressure gas

Abstract

This paper describes a method for the production of ZnO and Zn-ZnO nanopowders (NPs) using the evaporation of a target by a pulsed electron beam in a low-pressure gas and condensation on a cold crystallizer. Crystalline and amorphous NPs of pure ZnO and a Zn-ZnO mixture have been synthesized. These powders have a specific surface of up to 40 m2/g and are produced at a rate as high as 5 g/hour. It has been found that the pressure and the composition of gases (air, oxygen, and argon) in the evaporation chamber of the installation influenced the composition and the morphology of the powders. The effect that the target composition has on the production rate and characteristics of the powders has been studied. All the synthesized powders possessed marked magnetic properties.