Synthesis of deer horn-like and spherical ZnO nanoparticles by microwave decomposition of bis(2-pyridinethiol N-oxide)zinc using factorial and Taguchi experimental designs

Abstract

Deer horn-like and spherical nanoparticles of ZnO have been prepared via microwave heating (MWH) of Bis (2-pyridinethiol N-oxide) Zinc (II) [BPTZ] complex. The product was characterized by XRD, SEM, LLS, BET, FTIR and chemical analysis. The 23 factorial and the Taguchi L4 designs were used for factors effect estimation and determination of optimum conditions for spherical ZnO nanoparticle synthesis. The three main factors considered were power of microwave, temperature of pyrolysis and time of thermal decomposition. The time of pyrolysis had the most influence on the average particle size and the size distribution of product. The average particle size for the spherical ZnO at optimum conditions was found to be 16 nm and the particle range was 16 ± 13 nm.