ZNO NPS

• ZnO has been ZnO gained great popularity in the past decade, becoming
the third most commonly used metal-containing nanomaterial.
• defined as a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) material by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA
 iNTRODUCTION

• Crystal Structure:
– ZnO can crystallize in two main forms:
• Wurtzite (Hexagonal): This is the most stable form at ambient conditions. It consists of alternating layers of
zinc and oxygen atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice.
• Zincblende (Cubic): This form can be stabilized by growing ZnO on substrates with a cubic lattice structure.
• Appearance:
– ZnO appears as a white powder or colorless crystals.
– It is insoluble in water.
Optical Properties:
• ZnO is a wide-bandgap semiconductor
with a bandgap energy of
approximately 3.37 eV.
• It exhibits strong UV absorption and is
commonly used in sunscreens and UV-
blocking materials.

Electrical Properties:
• ZnO is a good conductor of electricity
when doped with certain impurities.
• It is used in varistors, sensors, and
transparent conductive films.

Chemical Reactivity:
• ZnO is amphoteric, meaning it can
react with both acids and bases.
• It forms zincate ions (Zn(OH)₄²⁻) in
alkaline solutions.
 ZnO Synthesis

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a versatile semiconductor material with diverse

applications in electronics, optics, and energy. The sol-gel method is a
widely used technique for synthesizing ZnO nanoparticles.
Sol-Gel Synthesis of ZnO
Drying and Calcination
Precursor Preparation
The colloidal suspension is then dried and calcined at high
The first step involves the preparation of a zinc-based temperatures to obtain the final ZnO nanoparticles.
precursor solution, such as zinc acetate or zinc nitrate.

1 2 3

Hydrolysis and Condensation

The precursor solution undergoes hydrolysis and condensation
reactions to form a colloidal suspension of ZnO nanoparticles.
Advantages of Sol-Gel Method

1 Precise Control 2 Low-Temperature Synthesis

The sol-gel process allows for fine-tuning of particle ZnO nanoparticles can be produced at relatively low
size, morphology, and composition. temperatures, reducing energy costs.

3 Scalability 4 Versatility
The sol-gel method can be easily scaled up for industrial The technique is suitable for a wide range of substrate
production of ZnO. materials and applications.
Factors Affecting Sol-Gel Synthesis
Precursor Chemistry pH and Catalysts Drying and Calcination

The choice of zinc salts and solvents The pH and addition of catalysts Temperature, duration, and atmosphere
can impact particle size and influence the rate and extent of during these steps determine the final
morphology. gelation. properties.
Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles
High Surface Area Optical Properties
ZnO nanoparticles have a large surface-to-volume ratio, ZnO exhibits strong UV absorption and luminescence,
enhancing their reactivity. making it useful for optoelectronics.

Electrical Properties Photocatalytic Activity

ZnO is a wide-bandgap semiconductor with high electrical ZnO nanoparticles can efficiently catalyze various redox
conductivity and mobility. reactions under UV light.
Applications of Sol-Gel Synthesized ZnO

Solar Cells Sensors Catalysis Electronics

ZnO is used as a transparent ZnO nanoparticles exhibit The photocatalytic properties ZnO is utilized in transistors,
conductive oxide in high sensitivity and of ZnO enable water LEDs, and other electronic
photovoltaic devices. selectivity for gas sensing. treatment and self-cleaning components.
applications.
Unique Properties of ZnO
Nanoparticles
1 High Surface Area 2 Optical Properties
ZnO nanoparticles have a very high ZnO nanoparticles exhibit unique
surface area-to-volume ratio, which optical properties, including high
enhances their reactivity and transparency, UV absorption, and
catalytic properties. tunable luminescence.

3 Antimicrobial Activity
ZnO nanoparticles have been shown to possess strong antimicrobial activity against a
wide range of bacteria and fungi.
Hydrothermal Synthesis of ZnO
Precursor Selection Reaction Conditions Morphology Control

Hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO The reaction is carried out in an By adjusting the reaction parameters,
nanoparticles typically uses zinc salts, autoclave under high temperature and such as temperature, pH, and reaction
such as zinc nitrate or zinc acetate, as pressure, which promotes the growth time, the morphology of the ZnO
the precursor. of ZnO nanoparticles. nanoparticles can be controlled.
B iogenic Synthesis
of ZnO
Nanoparticles
Biogenic synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles is an innovative and
eco-friendly approach that uses natural, biological materials as the precursor.
This method offers several advantages over traditional chemical synthesis
techniques.
Biogenic Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles
Plant-Mediated Microbe-Mediated
Plant extracts, such as from leaves, fruits, or flowers, can Certain microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi, can also
be used as reducing and capping agents to synthesize ZnO be employed to produce ZnO nanoparticles through
nanoparticles. intracellular or extracellular mechanisms.

Enzyme-Mediated Biomolecule-Mediated
Enzymes isolated from plants or microbes can catalyze the Biomolecules, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids,
synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles in a controlled and can serve as templates or stabilizing agents during ZnO
environmentally friendly manner. nanoparticle synthesis.
Principles of Biogenic Synthesis
Biocompatibility
Biogenic synthesis employs eco-friendly, non-toxic, and biocompatible materials,
making the process sustainable and safe.

Green Chemistry
This approach aligns with the principles of green chemistry, minimizing the use of
harsh chemicals and energy-intensive methods.

Mild Conditions
Biogenic synthesis typically occurs under mild, ambient conditions, without the need
for high temperatures or pressures.
Advantages of Biogenic Synthesis
Environmental Friendliness Cost-Effectiveness Scalability and Versatility

Biogenic synthesis is an eco-friendly The use of readily available, natural Biogenic synthesis can be easily scaled
approach that minimizes the precursors makes biogenic synthesis a up and can be adapted to produce a
environmental impact compared to cost-effective alternative to variety of ZnO nanoparticle sizes and
traditional chemical methods. conventional synthesis techniques. morphologies.
Unique Properties of Biogenic ZnO Nanoparticles

Biocompatibility Enhanced Catalysis Antimicrobial Activity Cellular Uptake

Biogenic ZnO nanoparticles The unique surface Biogenic ZnO nanoparticles
are highly biocompatible, properties of biogenic ZnO Biogenic ZnO nanoparticles can be more readily taken up
making them suitable for nanoparticles can lead to exhibit enhanced by cells due to their surface
biomedical applications. improved catalytic antimicrobial properties characteristics.
performance. compared to chemically
synthesized counterparts.
Applications of Biogenic ZnO Nanoparticles
Biomedical Wound healing, drug delivery, cancer therapy

Catalysis Photocatalysis, environmental remediation, energy

conversion

Agriculture Pesticides, fertilizers, plant growth promotion

Personal Care Sunscreens, cosmetics, textiles

ZnOElectrochemical Synthesis
Principles of ZnO Electrochemical Synthesis
Cathodic Reduction Nucleation and Growth
Reduction of dissolved oxygen or metal ions at the cathode The ZnO nuclei grow into nanoparticles with controlled
to generate OH- ions, which leads to localized pH increase. size and morphology determined by the synthesis
parameters.

1 2 3

Anodic Oxidation
Oxidation of Zn metal anode to Zn2+ ions, which then react
with OH- ions to form ZnO precipitate.
Experimental Setup and Parameters
Electrochemical Cell Synthesis Parameters Process Control

Two-electrode configuration with a Applied voltage, current density, Careful control of these parameters
zinc anode and a conductive substrate electrolyte composition, temperature, allows for precise tuning of ZnO
as the cathode, immersed in an and reaction time all influence the ZnO nanoparticle size, shape, and
aqueous electrolyte. nanoparticle properties. crystallinity.
Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles

1 Structural Analysis 2 Optical Properties 3 Chemical Composition

X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) Energy-dispersive X-ray
electron microscopy techniques spectroscopy and spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray
reveal the crystal structure and photoluminescence photoelectron spectroscopy
morphology of ZnO measurements provide (XPS) analyze the elemental
nanoparticles. information about the optical composition and oxidation states.
bandgap and defect states.
Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles
High Optical Transparency Wide Bandgap
ZnO nanoparticles exhibit high transparency in the visible The wide bandgap of ZnO (3.37 eV) enables efficient UV
region, making them suitable for optoelectronic absorption and emission, with potential use in
applications. photocatalysis.

Piezoelectricity Photocatalytic Activity

ZnO nanoparticles possess strong piezoelectric properties, The unique electronic and surface properties of ZnO
allowing for energy harvesting and sensor applications. nanoparticles enable efficient photocatalytic degradation of
organic pollutants.
Applications of ZnO Nanoparticles

Solar Cells Sensors Cosmetics Photocatalysis

ZnO nanoparticles are used The piezoelectric and gas- ZnO nanoparticles are The high photocatalytic
as transparent conductive sensing properties of ZnO widely used as UV-blocking activity of ZnO nanoparticles
oxides and electron transport nanoparticles make them agents in sunscreens and enables water purification
layers in dye-sensitized and suitable for various sensor other personal care products. and air cleaning applications.
perovskite solar cells. applications.
Advantages and Limitations of ZnO
Electrochemical Synthesis
Advantages
Simple, cost-effective, and scalable process; Precise control over nanoparticle properties; Low-temperature synthesis;
Environmentally friendly.

Limitations
Limited control over particle size distribution; Potential for impurities from anode and electrolyte; Challenges in
large-scale production.
Physicochemical Properties of ZnO Nanoparticles
Synthesized Electrochemically
• High Crystallinity: ZnO nanoparticles produced via electrochemical synthesis exhibit excellent crystallinity, with a well-defined
hexagonal wurtzite structure.
• Controlled Morphology: The morphology of the ZnO nanoparticles, such as nanorods, nanosheets, or nanospheres, can be finely
tuned by adjusting the electrochemical parameters.
• Tunable Particle Size: The size of the ZnO nanoparticles can be tailored by controlling factors like current density, electrolyte
concentration, and reaction time.
• Enhanced Surface Area: Electrochemically synthesized ZnO nanoparticles have a high surface-to-volume ratio, which is beneficial
for applications requiring large surface areas.
• Defect Engineering: The type and concentration of defects in the ZnO nanoparticles, such as oxygen vacancies, can be manipulated
through the electrochemical process, enabling customized optical and electronic properties.