Preparation of ZnO with various crystal morphologies from industrial zinc slag by oxidising zinc vapour

Abstract

ZnO with various crystal morphologies were successfully prepared using industrial zinc slag. The condition of preparation of ZnO was systematically discussed. The microstructure and crystal morphology of ZnO were characterised by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that five typical morphologies, such as powder, granular, needle, tetrapod and multipod-like ZnO, are obtained. The behaviour of the oxidising zinc vapour varies with the oxygen partial pressure, which leads to producing ZnO crystals of different morphologies that can be controlled by the change of preparing conditions. The additive is not a crucial factor for the crystal morphologies of ZnO but can expand the scope of nucleation and growth of tetrapod-like ZnO and adjust the preparation conditions.

Keywords:

• ZnO
• Vapour oxidation
• Crystal morphology
• Formation mechanism

This work was supported by the project of science and technology of Hunan province (grant no. 06FJ3173) and by the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan province (grant no. 05JJ30085).