Photo and radiation induced synthesis of (Ni, Zn)O or mixed NiO–ZnO oxides

A set of mixed oxide samples containing crystalline NiO–ZnO with variable composition was prepared by irradiation of aqueous solutions containing nickel and/or zinc nitrate hexahydrate, with subsequent heat treatment. Due to irradiation, either by accelerated electrons or UV light, weakly crystalline solid precursor was formed. After heat treatment at temperatures of 300 °C or higher, nanocrystalline NiO, ZnO and mixture of ZnO and solid solution (Ni, Zn)O were formed, with different amounts of nickel or zinc. Photo or radiation induced synthesis yielded material with quality nanocrystals (from one to twenty nm) and very high specific surface area.