Fabrication of Agglomerate-free ZnO Nanoparticles by Electrospraying and Subsequent Two-step Heat Treatment

Agglomerate-free ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by electrospraying and subsequent two-step heat treatment,providing a novel way for the fabrication of agglomerate-free oxide nanopowders. Using Zn(CH3COO)2·2H2O ethanol solution added proper polyvinylpyrrolidone as electrosprayed liquid,a cone-jet was successfully formed that produced symmetrical micron droplets. The electrosprayed products were dried then. Agglomerate-free ZnO nanoparticles were derived after annealing the dried electrosprayed products in nitrogen at 600℃ for 1h followed by annealing in air at 400℃ for 1h. Results of SEM and XRD tests demonstrate that the as-prepared ZnO nanoparticles are well developed with a uniform size,and a hexagonal wurtzite structure.