Ken Elen et al 2009 Nanotechnology 20 055608 doi:10.1088/0957-4484/20/5/055608
Ken Elen1,2, Heidi Van den Rul1,3, An Hardy1,2,3, Marlies K Van Bael1,3,5, Jan D'Haen4, Roos Peeters2, Dirk Franco2 and Jules Mullens1
Show affiliationsIn this paper a 28−4 fractional factorial design of experiments is applied to identify the important parameters that affect the average diameter of ZnO rods, synthesized by means of a hydrothermal procedure. A water-based Zn2+ precursor is used for the formation of one-dimensional ZnO particles, without the presence of an organic additive. Results indicate that, at the investigated levels, four of the parameters have a significant effect on the mean diameter. These are the temperature, the heating rate, stirring and an ultrasonic pre-treatment of the precursor solution. Experiments carried out with zinc acetate and zinc chloride do not show a significant difference in rod diameter. Other parameters that do not show a significant effect are the concentration of Zn2+, the molar ratio between the hydroxyl and the zinc ions, and the reaction time. Interactions are observed between stirring and an ultrasonic pre-treatment and between the zinc concentration and the OH:Zn ratio. By fixing the significant factors at their optimal value it is possible to decrease the mean diameter. The particles are characterized by means of x-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Issue 5 (4 February 2009)
Received 22 September 2008, in final form 12 November 2008
Published 12 January 2009
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