The effects of vitamin C on ZnO crystal formation

Abstract

We have studied the effects of L(+)-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on the formation of ZnO crystals. We carried out a series of experiments under weak acidic to alkaline conditions. We obtained ZnO structures with various distinct morphologies by varying the concentration of vitamin C dissolved in the weak acidic and alkaline solutions. Under weak acidic conditions, if the concentration of added vitamin C exceeds 0.5 mM, mixed amorphous/crystalline vitamin C–ZnO (VitC–ZnO) nanostructures are obtained. We also found that the ZnO content of the VitC–ZnO nanostructures can be controlled by adjusting the concentration of vitamin C added to the reaction solution. On the basis of our results, we propose a mechanism for the formation of the various ZnO structures and VitC–ZnO nanostructures in the presence of vitamin C.