Precipitation of ZnO Powders from Aqueous Solutions with Water-Soluble Polymers

ZnO powders were synthesized in the presence of water-soluble polymers. These polymers have effects on the nucleation and growth of ZnO crystals in solution, resulting in difference in crystalline morphologies. The role of polymers is 2-fold: first, indiscriminating adsorption of Zn(II) ions onto the polymer surfaces, which leads to the site-specific supersaturation with respect to the nucleation of ZnO, and secondarily, morphological development by interactions of zinc species with polymers and their hydrolyzed products. The incorporation of polymers into crystals was also confirmed experimentally. After annealing, mesopores were present in powders. This study shows the possibility to synthesize inorganic/organic composites with special morphologies, and suggests a novel process to optimize structures for the achievement of advanced functions.