Template-Free Sonochemical Preparation of ZnO Cauliflower-Like Microstructures

Abstract

Cauliflower-like ZnO superstructures composed of nanoparticles in large scale were successfully synthesized only using Zn(CH3COO)2•2H2O and triethanolamine (TEA) aqueous solution mixtures via a template-free sonochemical process at the ambient condition. A number of techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), UV-visible absorption and photoluminescence (PL) were used to characterize the obtained ZnO products. It has been interestingly found that UV-Vis absorption spectrum shows not only a weak and sharp peak at 367 nm in ultraviolet region but also a strong and broad band centered at 564 nm in visible region. The possible formation mechanism of ZnO cauliflower-like structure is also proposed.